The Reality TV Approach to Public Participation

Urban planning professors from the University of Kansas suggest that televising community meetings and using techniques from reality TV could significantly increase participation.

1 minute read

October 28, 2011, 1:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur

From the University of Kansas press release:

"More specifically, planners can use reality TV to create "ethical spectacles' that draw attention to planning issues while creating democratic two-way dialogues with the public.

'Community planners historically have struggled to pull people away from the TV to attend an evening meeting about a community project,' said Bonnie Johnson, assistant professor of urban planning at KU. 'But new technologies mean planners don't necessarily have to pull people away from the TV; rather, they can use TV to engage citizens. Moreover, planners who make these planning processes more like reality TV - rather than the standard town hall, C-Span-style meeting - have a better chance of increasing citizen participation.'"

Thanks to Joe Monaco

FULL STORY: Community planners can use reality TV to drive participation, KU researchers say

Friday, October 28, 2011 in Journal Of The American Planning Association

Community / Economic Development Government / Politics Housing Urban Development North America

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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