Systematic investigation of the socio-environmental challenges facing a road widening project using Q methodology

• A study on a suspended road widening project in the Philippines is presented • Q methodology was used to systematically investigate stakeholder perspectives. • Environmental preservation and improved mobility were major topics of disagreement • Differing perspectives on the need for public consultation were also found. • Stakeholders shared a common distrust in the government. Road widening is a common solution to congestion problems, but widening projects may negatively affect local communities and environment due to loss of private property or the relocation or removal of structures and trees. Literature reports that engaging the community and understanding the perspectives of affected stakeholders can help mitigate risks and ensure the successful completion of road development projects, but there are few studies that explore the intersection of public perception and socio-environmental impacts for road widening projects. This paper presents an empirical study of a suspended road widening project in the Philippines wherein Q methodology is applied to characterize subjective stakeholder perspectives on the project. In total, four distinct viewpoints were identified: road infrastructure drivers, transportation savvy, uncompromising environmentalists, and people-oriented. The major areas of disagreement between these viewpoints revolved around the trade-off between environmental preservation and improved mobility, as well as the role of public consultation. However, all groups shared a common distrust in the government. The results present new insights into the implications of road widening projects for local communities and environments, particularly with regards to the need for a holistic understanding of stakeholders’ perspectives during the project planning and implementation stages. Q methodology was also demonstrated as an effective method for systematically revealing the subjective perspectives of the stakeholders, but future work should explore how an understanding of these perspectives may be leveraged to improve project planning and implementation.