You Can Help Fight “Apathy”
How do we deal with an “apathetic” public? Or is that the wrong question for us to be asking?
Citizens
For planning commissioners who have just concluded a heated public hearing, the happy citizens illustrated above must appear as a cruel joke. Perhaps, however, the citizens have just returned from a dynamic and exciting workshop helping to envision the community’s future!
Most Recent Articles
Ten Things You Should Know About Project Opponents
In the old days, most people thought you could not fight progress or City Hall. But after 20 years of high-profile development fights all over the country, every man and woman now believes they can fight back and win.
Ten Things You Should Know About How the Public Feels About Development
In the first of a three part series, Patrick Fox draws on results from his firm’s public attitudes survey on what Americans think of development and the planning process.
Can “Citizen Planning Academies” Work in Your Community?
Citizen planning academies can provide a good way of better informing citizens about how the planning process works — while also building up a “bench” of future planning board members.
Technicity MOOC Highlights Ways of Using Technology to Connect With the Public
Stuart Andreason provides highlights from the “Technicity” course — about the good, the bad, and the unknown of using technology for public engagement.
Are Your Procedures Fair?
Greg Dale explores why fairness may require more than the legal minimum.
Well Rounded Membership First Step in Well Functioning Board
If your planning commission truly makes decisions that affect the well-being of the entire community, it makes sense that its membership reflects that community.
“Ma’am, We’re Here for You.”
Just who does the planning commission serve? — Applicants? Citizens opposing a project? The “public”? We resume our ethics & the planning commission series with a look at this question.
Citizen Surveys: Part 1 – How Surveys Can Support Local Planning Efforts
A scientifically conducted survey of residents brings in the voice of the public to bear on planning issues like no forum, newspaper straw poll, or focused discussion.
Why Planners Should Care About Customer Service
Local governments that are not actively engaged in listening and adapting their services to meet the needs and expectations of their customers and citizens are setting themselves up for disappointment and failure.
Dealing With Negative Attitudes Towards Government
What can you, as a planner or planning commissioner, do about negative attitudes towards government? You can start by doing something as simple as examining the experience citizens have when they enter the planning department office.
Why Have Students Serve on Planning Boards?
Have you ever bemoaned the fact that high school students don’t know much about how local government works or the importance of planning for the community’s future? Consider adding a high school student to your planning commission. Lessons from three communities.
Crossing Cultural & Language Divides
Citizen participation is enough of a challenge in any city — but how do you deal with engaging citizens when 42% of your population is foreign-born, with people speaking many different languages?
