Multi-level Analysis of Environmental Justice Perception's Influence on Public Participation in Urban Planning

This study investigates the multi-level effects of environmental justice perceptions on public participation willingness in urban planning. Employing a hierarchical linear modeling approach, we analyzed data from 816 residents across three major U.S. cities. Results reveal that procedural justice is the strongest predictor of participation willingness, followed by distributive and recognition justice. Significant cross-level interactions were observed, with neighborhood social capital amplifying the effect of procedural justice, and city-level environmental quality moderating the impact of distributive justice. Socioeconomic factors exhibited both direct and indirect effects, with income level positively moderating the relationship between procedural justice and participation. The study contributes to environmental justice theory by demonstrating the differential impacts of justice dimensions and their contextual variations. It also bridges environmental justice and public participation literature through an integrated multi-level framework. Practical implications include the importance of transparent decision-making processes, context-sensitive participation strategies, and initiatives to build community social capital. These findings provide valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers seeking to enhance public engagement in environmental planning and promote more just, sustainable urban environments.