Digital Tool ‘Gamifies’ Planning Decisions

How do you convince NIMBYs to support new housing construction? Gamify it. At least, that’s what some cities are trying with a simulation tool called Balancing Act, writes Patrick Sisson for Bloomberg. “Using a map-based visual interface, the interactive tool allowed online participants to decide where they would zone and permit additional housing, and submit their own maps to meet the state-mandated housing production goals (known as the Regional Housing Needs Assessment, or RHNA).”

Fairfax Mayor Stephanie Hellman launched the tool as part of public outreach efforts after the city received its latest RHNA housing allocation, which requires Fairfax to add 490 housing units. According to Sisson, “Instead of going site by site and inviting public wrath over specific development proposals, Balancing Act forced users to confront the challenges planners face, providing context and allowing them to weigh multiple options.” 

Simulations like Balancing Act are playing a growing role in public meetings and planning, letting stakeholders visualize the potential impacts of planning decisions. As Chris Adams, president of Engaged Public (the company that created Balancing Act) puts it, “The way to have a successful public conversation is to frame it appropriately and have [people] oriented to solving the problem, instead of just inviting complaining.”