Variations in Citizen Familiarity with Growth Management Processes

Abstract

Although citizen support for growth controls has received ample attention from researchers, little attention has been paid to citizen familiarity with growth management systems. This article investigates citizen familiarity with Florida’s growth management system, testing many of the same hypotheses that have previously shaped research into citizen support for growth controls. Using results from a survey of state residents, six hypotheses concerning familiarity are tested, and a regression model is developed to predict familiarity with the state system. Results reflect previous research into attitudes toward growth controls, and educated individuals, those living in urbanized areas, and those that perceive growth and environmental issues as requiring government attention are found to have greater familiarity with the state’s system. Results indicate that citizen familiarity is perhaps best explained by heightened interest in local, state, and national politics.