Effective use of the available data in ICZM process

Public participation leads to increased data sets on the physical and biological properties of the site, which may be critical in planning and design, and may not have been detected by the technicians conducting the investigations. For example, an area may be prone to flooding under particular circumstances. This may not be detected if the investigation is done during a dry period. The people who have been living in the area for generations, however, could provide this knowledge, which the planner could then use for correct planning and design. According to Budd (1999), public participation and consultation is an opportunity to solicit the "hidden" knowledge of the wider community and their key concerns.