6 Questions to Consider for Digital Public Engagement Planning

Digital engagement is the latest buzz when it comes to public participation. If your town is thinking about diving into the digital realm, consider these six questions.

1 minute read

September 25, 2014, 12:00 PM PDT

By CHorose


Thinking about using digital engagement for your next public process? Do you know what important conversations to have before diving in?

Pete Peterson, executive director, Davenport Institute and Alissa Black, investment principal, Omidyar Network work with cities and towns looking to adopt digital tools and improve decision-making processes. Sharing success stories on a recent CommunityMatters conference call, Pete and Alissa highlighted a handful of key questions to ask when thinking about digital engagement.

They recommend conversations that cover process design—ask "Why are we engaging the public?" Discussions about outreach, like, "Who visits our municipal website?" Considerations for engagement outcomes—"Are these the conversations we’re looking for?"

Click through to the full story to find the full list of questions, along with the call notes and recording.

Monday, September 22, 2014 in CommunityMatters

Few passengers waiting in subway station with multiple platforms and "North Station" signs in Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Transit Riders Report Safety Concerns

Almost three-quarters of current and former riders report feeling unsafe while using MBTA services.

September 18, 2023 - Hoodline

View of Interstate 205 bridge over Columbia River with Mt. Hood in background.

The Unceremonious Death of a Freeway Expansion Project

The end of an Oregon freeway project didn't get much fanfare, but the victory is worth celebrating.

September 19, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Wood frame house under construction

Houston Lot Size Reforms Yield Positive Results

New research shows that reducing lot size requirements helped create thousands of new homes.

September 17, 2023 - Pew Trusts

High-rise modern apartment buildings with green space in front courtyard with outdoor exercise equipment.

Architecture and the Housing Crisis

A new book brings architects into the housing discussion.

7 hours ago - Next City

Aerial view of Koreatown neighborhood in Los Angeles with downtown skyline in background.

New Los Angeles Rent Relief Program Targets Pandemic Debt

The program prioritizes the lowest-income tenants who accrued debt during the early part of the pandemic.

September 25 - LAist

Roadside city limit sign for Santa Clara, California.

‘Agrihood:’ An Urban Farm With Affordable Housing

California’s largest urban farm also provides 165 units of affordable housing for seniors and veterans.

September 25 - ABC 7 News