COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS

AVOID THE SINS OF THE PAST BY GETTING 

MEANINGFUL INPUT FROM MARGINALIZED PEOPLE 

From toolkits to common sense ways of broadening input by embracing diversity and going to the street corners, kitchens and hang out places of diverse stakeholders — planners are aiming for more inclusivity with public engagement.

Charles Brown is founder and CEO at Equitable Cities and creator of the Arrested Mobility Podcast that explores why Black Americans and other people of color are disproportionately victims of overly aggressive police enforcement and brutality while walking, running, riding bicycles, taking public transit and driving.

The Equitable Cities teams in action alongside community teams.

“For me, it really boils down to planners understanding the importance of acknowledging other people’s feelings.

This is key because it is important to demonstrate — as a planner but also any professional — empathy, respect and understanding,” he said of getting at the heart of meaningful input from diverse communities.

“By acknowledging someone’s feelings, you validate their experiences.

It builds trust and it promotes effective communication, which is at the heart of what we’re trying to do when we are engaged with the public as planners.”