Public Engagement
A Different Approach to Public Engagement: Use Tech to Put Residents in Planners’ Shoes
Simulators can be a useful tool to help residents think differently about challenges like housing
Is Twitter Still an Effective Planning Tool?
Twitter has been a daily dose of drama and upheaval ever since Elon Musk offered to pay over $40 billion to buy the social media platform. Media outlets and public transit agencies had been abandoning the social media platform—should planners?
Pensacola Launches Active Transportation Plan
Pensacola, Florida, one of the least safe localities for pedestrians in a state full of them, is seeking public feedback for a new Active Transportation Plan.
Citywide Master Planning Process Launched in Worcester
The Massachusetts college town, with 200,000 residents, is kicking off the Worcester Now / Next long-range plan with a series of public engagement activities.
Why a Complete Streets Makeover Went Awry in Philadelphia
The city pulled the plug on a proposed street redesign after community groups criticized the public engagement process for not listening to all local voices.
It's Time for Public Participation to Evolve With Transportation Planning
A manifesto by planning and transportation professionals committing to hearing all voices during public engagement processes.
Lessons from the Smart Columbus Pilot Program
The former program manager for Smart Columbus discusses the successes, challenges, and unexpected opportunities encountered by the city as it worked to integrate technology into city services and programs.
Robust Data and Community Trust Crucial to Achieving Equitable Transit
Experts say a deep understanding of communities and access to rich local data are necessary for improving transit service for all segments of society.
5 Tips for Planning Safe Post-Pandemic Events
As community events start move off-screen and become available to the public again, here are five ways organizers can ensure public health and safety.
Planning via Zoom: Legal Scrutiny for Pandemic Realities in New York City
The question of whether a public review process conducted by Zoom is sufficient to approve a sweeping rezoning plan is a matter of no small legal concern in New York City.
Bilingual Animations to Teach 'Planning 101'
The Inclusive Communities Project (ICP) is working to make planning more accessible in the Latino communities of Oak Hill in Dallas.
Social Media Bots and the Community Planning Process
Recently published research examines the "Role of Artificial Intelligence in Community Planning"—that is, the role of automated bots on social media in corrupting participatory planning processes.
Urban Plan Ready for Public Scrutiny in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island is undertaking a major planning initiative during the pandemic.
How Engagement and Design Won Over Wary Neighbors
Despite opposition from the neighborhood, a low-income housing community was built in an upscale subdivision in California. How did developers make it happen?
Park Planning in a Pandemic
In pursuit of a grant for park development, Los Angeles County engages community members virtually to gather input and design a new park.
Landmark Environmental Justice Law Signed in New Jersey
New Jersey is now home to one of the "most stringent" environmental justice laws in the country.
Crossing the Digital Divide During COVID
Organizations blend past and present strategies to stay in touch with community members.
It's Time to Move On From Community Consensus
Public meetings often disprove the notion that communities have a unified stance on any issue. With this in mind, we must move past trying to find consensus and focus on uplifting the most marginalized voices.
Are Virtual Public Meetings Here For Good?
Online public hearings and other meetings have become commonplace. A case can be made to continue virtual meetings even in the post-COVID-19 era.
Cities: Skylines as an Urban Planning Tool
Computer simulations continue to play a novel and important role in urban planning, especially in finding new ways to engage the public and add some fun to the process of planning for the future of cities.
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
City of Cleburne
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
