Community Engagement

Forces are aligning to increase polarization and tension in public dialog, and planners are increasingly caught in the middle. A recent workshop with 100 engagement experts resulted in a free eBook to help planners detox their public involvement.

March 8, 2018 - Dave Biggs

All planners encounter passionate obstructionist activity at some point. While the reasoning for anti-development is often discussed, it's still not a widely understood force in the planning process and the evolution of cities.

March 1, 2018 - UCLA Ziman Center for Real Estate

Storytelling are a key tool for planners. Here are a few tips on how to integrate storytelling into planning processes.

February 14, 2018 - James Rojas

A new report from the Regional Plan Association, expected for release early next week, will provide suggestions for how the city of New York can empower community boards.

February 2, 2018 - AM New York

Harvard Square bears the name of a prestigious private university, but it's still public space. More community organizations are taking a role in determining its future in an era of change for the historic location.

November 26, 2017 - Harvard Magazine

Equity is a popular topic of discussion, but how can planning organizations address that within their structure? What are some actions that they can take to include equity in everyday operations?

September 11, 2017 - PlanIt - Metropolitan Council

The community's hard work has helped Flint planners take an inventory of its building stock, as well as secure needed funding from the federal government.

September 8, 2017 - Center for Community Progress

Community engagement is a powerful tool to guide investments toward the places we inhabit.

August 20, 2017 - PlanIt - Metropolitan Council

With the recently adopted Community Greening Plan, Capital Region Water has committed to the implementation of green stormwater infrastructure in Harrisburg. The plan is empowering residents to partner in stormwater management.

August 9, 2017 - Claire Maulhardt

The city of San Jose and designers from the University of California, Davis have completed a community-led design process to raise awareness about the connections between the kitchen, sewers, and the environment.

May 12, 2017 - The Confluence

The makers of Pokémon Go, touted for its potential to activate sedentary Americans since its release last year, will take more initiative to participate in community-based events.

May 11, 2017 - Fast Company Co.Design

A story about how a simple proposal, made by a resident, produced results in the New Jersey borough of Paramus.

April 18, 2017 - NorthJersey.com

A decade into its history, the hyperlocal social media site Nextdoor is looking for feedback and hoping to expand its reach before the 2018 and 2020 elections.

April 11, 2017 - Politico

While Atlanta gets ready for new transit service, its suburbs may not be so lucky.

April 4, 2017 - Curbed Atlanta

Four small cities across the country are seeing positive results with non-traditional public engagement strategies like bouncy castles, beer coasters, and ball games.

February 11, 2017 - Orton Family Foundation

The rise of white nationalist politics has many implications for the ideas of a just city.

January 18, 2017 - Jason Reece

A recent city audit has empowered Portland's new mayor, Ted Wheeler, to criticize the Office of Neighborhood Involvement in Portland.

January 3, 2017 - Livable Portland

What is the highest purpose of community engagement? Why do some planners go all out to hear from the public? This article dives into these questions based on nine interviews conducted at APA 2016.

December 4, 2016 - Dave Biggs

Want parking reform without tears?

September 18, 2016 - CityLab

Trust between the public and government agencies is low, and democracies are paralyzed without it. How can community engagement help restore trust? This post outlines the challenge and a process for solving it.

September 8, 2016 - Dave Biggs