Evaluation of Citizen–Student Cooperative Urban Planning and Design Experience in Higher Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the implementation and evaluation of cooperative education, which is emphasized as a means of developed citizen participation in the areas of urban planning and design, and to present implications by analyzing and discussing the results thereof. To this end, this study observed three cooperative education classes in which general citizens and students participated to learn how to cooperate planning processes for fostering experts in relevant fields in higher education courses. Additionally, the study established a research model through multiple educational performances and monitoring to review participants’ opinions. The results were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed based on a questionnaire, and the methodology was compliant with prior research. The analysis demonstrated statistical differences in communication between students and citizens going through the same curriculum, as well as differences in the satisfaction of the two groups. Citizens and students found difficulties in coordinating opinions and reaching a consensus with counterparties. Nevertheless, all the participants expressed satisfaction over their collaboration to produce the results and ensured that related attempts were continuously made thereafter. Based on these results, this study proposed methods to enhance cooperative education for citizens in the future.