Developing Participatory Planning Model to Improve Regional Development Planning

Participatory regional development planning through Musrenbang, an essential process for formulating development priorities, requires improvement. Using a comprehensive SWOT analysis framework, this research has provided crucial insights into the current state of participatory planning through the sub-district Musrenbang in Pematangsiantar City. Methodologically, the research involved identifying participants, conducting focus group discussions, and gathering data through in-depth stakeholder interviews. The findings indicate that while the Musrenbang implementation is moderately effective, there are notable internal areas for improvement, particularly in stakeholder coordination. However, the study also identifies opportunities for improvement through enhanced participation and collaboration. The study concludes that integrating aggressive, competitive, and adaptive strategies into the participatory planning model can significantly enhance the effectiveness of Musrenbang, ultimately contributing to sustainable development and improved local governance. This research contributes to the broader discourse on participatory planning theory, offering valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers in regional development. The study's limitation involved a relatively small number of respondents, which may not adequately represent the diverse range of stakeholders involved in the Musrenbang process. Furthermore, this study is location-specific, focusing on the city's unique characteristics. As a result, the findings can only be extended to other regions with comparable features. However, the potential for future studies to integrate SWOT analysis with other methods offers hope for a comprehension and effective strategy development in participatory planning.