Introducing the Text Hall Meeting

A free platform that promises to "bring citizen feedback into the digital age" is being employed to help shape Philadelphia's comprehensive plan, reports Matt Bevilacqua.

1 minute read

June 6, 2012, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Developed by San Francisco-based non-profit Code for America, Textizen "involves a charming mixture of new and old media," writes Bevilacqua. "It works by having residents respond via text message to questions
posted in various places around the city, from bus shelters to telephone
posts, asking for their opinions on specific community topics like
transportation and quality of life."

Launched as a pilot project, "The questions, which started appearing on both physical posters and social media channels on Friday, come from the Philadelphia Planning Commission as it continues to shape the city's comprehensive plan
for the next two decades. So far, posters have have stayed confined to
Center City and a few northeastern neighborhoods, since portions of the
plan affecting these districts are to be published in July."

Tuesday, June 5, 2012 in Next American City

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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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