Visioning Can Be Planning Writ Large
Engaging in a visioning process for your city or town can be an exciting, but challenging, undertaking. A look at the key elements in this process.
Public Participation Techniques
At the heart of the local planning process is public participation — without it, comprehensive plans and implementing regulations will not truly reflect community needs and desires.
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Engaging the Public
As planning commissioners, it is vital that you find meaningful ways to engage the public in the planning process — beyond simply posting notices and advertising public meetings.
Lighten Up
Being a planning commissioner is a serious job, with serious responsibilities. However, if you take the opportunity to engage your community in stimulating and enjoyable planning exercises, you will find a receptive audience and reap positive results.
Enticements Needed to Woo the Public
People are friendlier, to their fellow citizens and to the conveners of meetings, if their stomachs aren’t grumbling. How food can make a difference.
Bowling Together: The Role of Neighborhood Associations
Neighborhood organizations often provide the most important connection residents have with local government and planning. By working with them, planners can gain a more accurate sense of what residents and businesses need, while helping empower citizens.
On Gauging Public Opinion
PCJ columnist Elaine Cogan provides an overview of ways by which planning commissions can gauge public opinion.
Tap the Internet to Build Public Participation
Planning departments in communities large and small are increasingly using e-mail, Web sites, and other related approaches. Journalist and planning board member David Essex highlights several effective uses of the Internet
Is Planning a Household Word in Your Community?
How can you strengthen community involvement in planning after you’ve completed work on updating your comprehensive plan, when there’s no “hot issue” on the table?
¿Habla Usted Español?
Elaine Cogan takes a look at several ways of reaching out to the citizens of your community for whom English is not their first language.
How Can We Harness Our Passion for Planning?
Ways in which you can tap the passion and enthusiasm of your constituents for the planning process.
Getting Out to Where the People Are
Elaine Cogan looks at how a shopping mall became the location for a creative planning event.
New Ways to Reach New (and Old) Audiences
A quick look at ways in which planning boards can obtain public feedback besides through a formal public hearing process
Dealing With an Angry Public
A frequently faced, but seldom discussed, subject is how to deal with angry citizens at public meetings. Community relations consultant (the late) Debra Stein suggests ways of keeping cool when things get hot. With responses and ideas from our online reviewers.
