I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

Unable to sleep because of severe concussion symptoms, I wondered how the violent crime would impact me.

Would I, a longtime urban dweller and planner, sour on cities?

Would my progressive politics shift?

No, quite the opposite.

My belief in diversity and how big cities support diverse people is unshaken.

Not that long ago, people who used wheelchairs were barred from mainstream institutions and hauled off to “special” schools.

They had to fight to attend college.

To this day, 34 years after the passage of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, less than one percent of housing in the U.S. is accessible to wheelchair users.

Otherwise intelligent people pejoratively label the liberating use of a mobility device as being “confined to a wheelchair.”

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

It was ironic that I was in town to give a speech at the 58^th International Making Cities Livable Conference.

My presentation was on sidewalks and transit and connectivity that makes life livable for all people — and especially those who use wheelchairs for mobility.

I have expertise and personal passion for Universal Design because for three decades; I was the direct caregiver to a person who used a power wheelchair for mobility.

I was the Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity guy.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

I was reeling from a robbery and beating.

Did my head, thumping with what would turn out to be a concussion, turn to thoughts of vengeance? 

Sure, for a brief period.

But after completing a police report – and being told gangs that do this are never caught – I started thinking about the big picture.

I love cities, feel they are safe and am even willing to suffer injury and financial loss to keep immersing myself in them.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

Lately, all eyes have been focused on the Paris Olympics and anticipating the Paralympics.

But just a few years ago, I experienced the dark side of the City of Light.

I was hustling to change from the RER train for Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Metro M6 to reach my hotel on Place Italie.

Groggy-eyed, suitcase-wheeling and just-arrived staring at the Metro map, I was an easy mark.

Waiting for an English-speaking detective, I started canceling credit cards and closing a now exposed bank account.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

A traveler’s worst nightmare?

Three men — all less than half my age — crashed into me just as the subway doors were closing.

Shoved, I banged my head on one the poles for standing riders to grasp and fell forward in pain.

Even though I was blindsided and injured, my first thought was to pat my right hip.

Sure enough, the wallet I forgot to hide in my book bag was gone – and with it, more than $500 in cash, all my credit cards and my identification. 

THE FUTURE OF DEVELOPMENT

 INCLUDES ACCESSIBLE/AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Hats off to Dr. Charles Bohl of MRED+U Program at the University of Miami School of Architecture for hosting Manager, Housing Development Tom Hospod (in person) + Co-Founder CEO Micaela Connery (via Zoom) of The Kelsey.

The Kelsey is a California-based nonprofit developer bringing accessible and affordable dwelling units to market.

With its inclusive design standards, the Kelsey has a global reach in the U.S.

Developers and disciplines that work with them need to learn about the value of inclusive housing.

I was honored to be introduced as the creator of an innovative Universal Design course and a journalist who has covered how The Kelsey has delivered affordable/accessible housing to the challenging San Francisco-San Jose area.

Tom Hospod shared how funding was done.

I capped off the program saying accessible housing is a growing market share to capture.

Fact: 1 in 4 people experience some level of disability and soon, more people will be older than 65 than younger than 18 in the U.S.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

“I want to be aware of those underlying stories. It helps me figure out if a community has gatekeepers you need to win over and build trust with,” said Sara Schooley, a project planner at Toole Design Group, noting that trust is built when planners sincerely want to listen and put that input into the plan.

Schooley said technology is great, but it has pitfalls.

She noted that some online survey platforms have auto generated translations.

But those translations are nowhere near as accurate and inclusive as having a native speaker create a survey in Spanish, or whatever language other than English is spoken in an impacted community.

“We also do not enter a project expecting everyone to come to us. In Bloomington, Ind., we went to 15 different sites to gather inclusive input,” she said.

“And it’s not just dividing by geographic areas, it is going where people are: pickleball courts for active seniors, the University of Indiana main parking lot for students, the main bus station for transit riders — including people with disabilities.”

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Sara Schooley, a project planner at Toole Design Group, has refined public engagement techniques working for city, county and regional government and now for a female-founded firm that serves them.

She said too often, Toole sees a planning scope of work that only asks for three public meetings, all on weeknights after work.

That approach will not generate diverse input.

“Those types of meetings serve the sorts of residents who are going to get heard no matter what,” Schooley said.

To reach diverse audiences, planners need to get outside their comfort zone

“Thankfully, I work for a firm that works with clients to be creative in reaching all voices.”

Schooley said sometimes a simple Google search can give insights into underlying issues.

She said searching the name of the city and “controversy” or “racism” could generate news stories and online posts about unresolved issues in marginalized communities.

 

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

“What stymies being able to get broad public support is not doing the work before you tell the public you want to build something at Broad and 50th streets,” said Dr. Tiffany Manuel, president & founder of TheCase Made.

“That creates a sense of ‘you want my tax dollars, but what does this have to do with me?’

Engage all members of the community so they are respected, so they feel a stake in what you are trying to do and that they will have some benefit — even if they are not the primary beneficiaries.”

To reach diverse audiences, planners need to get outside their comfort zone.

Manuel said that means going to where people meet, getting invited to the kitchen table, meeting people at times beyond nine to five.

“We live in a pluralistic society.

Americans, no matter where they are, are saying they don’t trust the people who [should] be there to help them — their decisionmakers,” she said.

“I lead an organization that helps everyday people across the country to make a strong and powerful case for the highest and best aspirations for the community they like,” Manuel said.

“[A city official] has to deliver what you promised would happen. Trust is a currency that can do a great many things.”

 

 

 

 

 

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Dr. Tiffany Manuel, president & founder of TheCase Made, specializes in social justice and authored a book about how to build public support for initiatives.

 “Case making, from my vantage point, is building that sense of ‘we,’ before you get to the planning table,” she said.

“[Government agencies] must think about who will have access; whose priorities will inform our planning process.

Planning is inclusive when we are thinking about the needs of everybody, not just some.

Casemaking establishes the feeling that all people are rockin’ in the same boat.”

Manuel said too many planning workshops or hearings are focused on a specific zoning change or neighborhood project.

She said plans get buy-in when there is a sense of legacy — that the city wants to create something “that will outlive us in the community.”

 

 

 

 

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Darin Watkins, government affairs director at Spokane Association of REALTORS®, said the Corps’ expertise was easily worth a half million dollars but cost only a minimal amount of funding through NAR and local grants plus some local partnerships.

“It was funny to finally see support on both ends of the political spectrum,” he said.

“For those who wanted to build more affordable housing as a social issue, the streamlined permitting; getting code aligned with housing goals; and removal of single-family-only zoning was great.

For people concerned about property rights, they saw they could do more with their land, so that was a great idea.”

In addition to the Transforming Neighborhoods program, NAR has funded placemaking, smart growth and housing opportunity grants in hundreds of communities.

The association also publishes Placemaking, Smart Growth and Housing Opportunity Toolkits, along with the better block guide “to promote the growth of healthy and vibrant neighborhoods.

“The Placemaking Toolkit offers REALTORS® and state and local association staff details of placemaking, the kinds of projects placemaking entails, how to organize them, and where to go for assistance and resources.”

 

 

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

In Spokane, where housing prices were spiraling, the Corps helped lead the community to zoning changes that allowed two-, three-, four- and six-plexes within single family zones.

That created affordable housing without disrupting the urban fabric.

“In four years, we went from one of the most affordable housing cities, to one where only about 60 percent of the population could afford housing,” said Darin Watkins, government affairs director at Spokane Association of REALTORS®.

“One of the CRE Corps’ first recommendations was to get a planning director, and we found a progressive planning director who implemented CRE recommendations immediately.

The highest impact one was you could now build up to a six-plex anywhere in the city.”

QUITE A BIT TO CELEBRATE

PRIVILEGED TO SHARE

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

On location at the endless miles of wheelchair accessible boardwalks at Algar Seco near Carvoeiro in Portugal's Algarve

In the space of little more than a month, I have:

Headlined as a speaker on Universal Design and Sustainability at the Florida REALTORS statewide conference in Orlando.

Served as a key speaker at the American Planning Association’s statewide conference in Tampa.

Participated in the launch of the Saudades book, which features my fine art photography, which also is on display in the gallery section of Books & Books in Coral Gables.

Been featured as an on screen global expert on creating a better built environment for people with disabilities in the documentary film “Mark – A Call to Action” which released globally online, streaming and on DVD this month.

Traveled the Algarve and beyond in Portugal as a Universal Design expert consultant.

This coming week, I turn 60. 

I will weigh less than I did at age 16. 

Which means I was overweight for four decades, but finally figured things out and shed way more than 100 pounds.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

“The Corps team came in and performed a thorough assessment of the needs, hurts and challenges that our community was facing,” said Aubrey Pruis, association executive of the Paradise Association of REALTORS®.

“The final report provided by the Corps team gave a clear vision moving forward and served as a ‘road map’ to recovery for our local government.

The report has also served as a blueprint to the many com munities that, tragically, have also experienced natural and man-made disasters and provides great insights on how we can redevelop smarter and safer and better serve our community in the immediate future and beyond.”

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

“In the wake of the devastating 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, Calif., our association brought in the CRE Consulting Corps, which proved to be a necessary and invaluable component as our community began the recovery and rebuilding process,” said Aubrey Pruis, association executive of the Paradise Association of REALTORS®.

Demonstration projects are a great way to engage with people as they experience a new design in their community.

The Consulting Corps rebuild report for Paradise, Calif.

https://cre.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Paradise-Final-Report.pdf

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

The Paradise Association of REALTORS® brought in the Corps in 2021, when it was alarmed at the slow pace of rebuilding from the 2018 California wildfire that burned down nearly 20,000 structures in the area.

One recommendation was to bring in a dealmaker from the private sector, someone who could cut through red tape and get things done with streamlined permitting.

Another issue was to focus on affordable housing.

Homeowners tended to have insurance settlements that allowed them to rebuild. Renters were uninsured or underinsured, plus very little affordable housing was being rebuilt in an area that was fairly affordable compared to many areas in the Golden State.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

A verbal presentation is given at the end of the week’s work by CRE’s Consulting Corps (Corps). It is followed up with a longer, written version of expert advice.

Along with intense engagement with a broad base of stakeholders, the value of the Corps’ work is it can create strategies based more in economic realities. Sometimes cities get stuck on an unrealistic redevelopment plan.

“City staff might say ‘we want this land to be industrial and we want to have this company develop it.’

When the market reality might be that the land doesn’t have the infrastructure for industry or the market realities preclude a firm from locating to the site,” Dekoven said.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Samantha Dekoven, director of Public Service Initiatives at The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE), helps communities with planning expertise from industry leaders, such as developers, appraisers, economists, asset managers and advisors to pension funds, that invest in real estate.

Through its affiliation with the NATIONAL ASSOCI ATION OF REALTORS® (NAR), CRE’s Consulting Corps (Corps) is able to give an outside opinion from experts and is funded by NAR’s Transforming Neighborhoods program.

The Corps does several projects per year, focusing on communities with a problem complex enough to need a team of experts, but narrow enough that the team can create solutions from about a week onsite.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Jessica Garrow, principal at Design Workshop,  underscored the importance of nuance, within various marginalized groups.

She recalled an online meeting specifically for individuals and organizations who represent people with disabilities.

“One participant was visually impaired, and we were using a lot of visuals for the discussion.

We had to slow down and explain each concept to them because they were not able to see the screen.

This was a good reminder that it’s important to provide opportunities for community input that are accessible to people from all walks of life.”

Garrow also reminds planners to connect with everyday people by avoiding “planner-speak.”

She recalled a time when a member of the community had received a public notice and was flummoxed by its mention of “FAR in a PUD to be heard by the PC.”

The point is not so much to spell out Floor Area Ratio, Planned Unit Development and Planning Commission — but to break down jargon into wording everyday people can understand.

 

 

 

SAUDADES FEATURED ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: STEVE WRIGHT

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE BOOK LAUNCH 

AT BOOKS AND BOOKS THIS MONTH

Steve Wright is a visual and verbal storyteller.

His street photography is inspired by Ara Güler, the Eye of Istanbul. He learned from and edited a book about the great Turkish photographer.

Wright is a Pulitzer-nominated, award-winning writer and has published more than 5,000 professional articles.

His Save My Little Havana, a one-man show photo exhibit opened in August 2023 at the Art Deco Welcome Center in Miami Beach and ran through Thanksgiving.

Several photos by Steve are published in the book, and will exhibited at the Books & Books Gallery Space.

Steve and other artists were present at the Book Launch on October 4, when they signed books.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Jessica Garrow, principal at Design Workshop, said online surveys are great for people who cannot attend a physical meeting, but noted not everyone is signed up for a city’s website or newsletter, so they may not know about the survey.

“Using yard signs, social media channels, flyers at a busy coffee shop, newspaper ads or radio ads helps increase engagement,” she said.

“I also like to pair surveys within person engagement so you can get the folks who might be rushing through their day.

It is also important to always provide hard copy options.

There are some people who do not have access to a smart phone so having surveys available at the library, community center, senior center or other high-traffic locations is important.”

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Jessica Garrow, principal at Design Workshop, is a big believer in face-to-face meetings with stakeholders outside of town-hall-type meetings.

“During a recent project, we wanted to hear from parents with young kids, so we brought ice cream to a busy park by the main childcare facility in town and talked to parents as their kids were playing.

By meeting our audience where they naturally spent time, we were able to gain important feedback,” she said.

“On transportation-based plans, I often like to hold a pop-up event at the transit station.

People are often rushing to their bus or light rail, but you can give them a business card with a QR code to complete a survey on their commute to or from work.”

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

“Big flashy tactical urbanism in New York City and Dallas grabs the headlines, but this works even in small towns of 10,000 or 2,500 people.

These don’t have to be million- or several hundred-thousand-dollar initiatives,” said Camille Manning-Broome, president & CEO of the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) in Louisiana.

“A temporary, 30-day demonstration can be done with donated asphalt paint and loaned-out traffic cones and steel barriers.”

Manning-Broome and Alex Hobdy, a design associate at CPEX, said demonstration projects can bring 100 people to a meeting, while giving them an understanding of why design matters.

“In one place, we had a community-wide survey with over 300 respondents.

One of the recurring themes was people were using bike lanes as a route for assistive mobility devices — the wheelchair route,” Hobdy said.

“It reminded the mayor that ADA accessible improvements needed on the sidewalks and every intersection had to have curb ramps.”

 

 

KEYNOTE SPEECH EXCERPT -- UNIVERSAL DESIGN

AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE 2024

 

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Camille Manning-Broome, president & CEO of the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) in Louisiana, said great planning results from a transparent process aimed at improving quality of life.

“We don’t achieve the mission of our nonprofit until the built environment has shifted and policies are in place to support the people, environment and economy.”

In Abbeville, La., a city of about 12,000 located in the heart of Cajun Country, CPEX did a demonstration project to show the community what the concepts of a complete street, road diet and protected bike lane are.

A demonstration project increased pedestrian safety by extending the curbs at eight intersections.

The crosswalk distance shrunk from 25 feet to about 12, meaning people only crossed one lane of traffic instead of two.

The project also enhanced the visibility of crosswalks with high visibility striping and extra signage.

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

“When you put something on the ground, then you really get input.

Everybody has an opinion good and bad — which is great,” said Camille Manning-Broome, president & CEO of the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) in Louisiana.

“It’s a better way to ignite voices and understand perceptions for a diverse audience.”

Manning-Broome said the best renderings in the world, pinned up on a wall at a typical community workshop, cannot begin to help design a community to meet its vision and goals — like a demonstration project can.

“Our mission is to unlock the power of planning in our communities that don’t have the resources.

We help co design plans in communities that have implementation in mind,” she said, noting that CPEX drives physical change, not reports for the files.

 “We work with partners to help understand funding to get plans implemented.”

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Camille Manning-Broome, president & CEO of the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) in Louisiana, endorses a seeing-is-believing approach.

“We don’t see how you can get meaningful input by just holding workshops and having discussions and that’s your only way to understand community needs,” she said.

“You need various tools. We are big on funding demonstrations.

We work in a number of communities with stakeholders, community groups, elected officials — to create temporary installations addressing issues such as traffic design and floodwater management design.”

“MARK - A CALL TO ACTION” RELEASES GLOBALLY ON OCTOBER 8

I AM HONORED TO APPEAR IN THE DOCUMENTARY AS A GLOBAL DISABILITY ADVOCATE AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN EXPERT CONSULTANT

The documentary, by an award-wining team, premiered in Japan in February.

I was gratified to attend in Tokyo.

On October 8, it releases via Digital, Streaming, Satellite – even DVD.

“Mark – A Call to Action” is the story of Dr. Mark Bookman, a severely disabled Pennsylvania-born American who later resided in Tokyo full-time, becoming one of Japan’s leading experts on accessibility, and a policy consultant to governments and major corporations around the world.

His tireless efforts helped raise awareness and positively impacted the lives of not only disabled persons, but also children, seniors and vulnerable populations in the United States, Japan and many other nations.

For more information, visit:

https://www.soundviewmediapartners.com/mark-a-call-to-action/

For a review, see this image:

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

People, not the project, must come first.

“High tech is great, but we also need high touch. That means going to where the people are and finding people who speak the neighborhood language,” said Jason Jordan, director of Policy & Government Affairs at the American Planning Association (APA), meaning local nuances, not just languages other than English.

“We need to understand all the layers that factor into the neighborhood’s identity — the housing market, job accessibility, impacts.”

“Great public engagement means people are working with officials to solve a problem, as opposed to organizing to oppose a project,” he said.

“People have every right to oppose something — but they might not if the process weren’t front loaded.”

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

Jason Jordan, director of Policy & Government Affairs at the American Planning Association (APA) said the move from the traditional town-hall meeting toward virtual meetings and online surveys has pluses and minuses.

For people who cannot make a weeknight meeting, or those afraid of speaking in person, virtual can be helpful.

“Digital tools are great, but we must be aware that some technology can exacerbate underlying inequity,” he said, noting that not all people are online and not all trust online surveys.

 

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

While good old-fashioned human buy-in is key, technology can help, said Jason Jordan, director of Policy & Government Affairs at the American Planning Association (APA).

“In California, the state sets standards and says ‘your town needs to build X number of new units.’

VR headsets can help people ‘walk’ through a simulation,” he said, explaining that a visualization may show that increased density doesn’t disrupt the fabric of the neighborhood.

“People can see the big picture, then learn how it translates into code and regulations.”

 

THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNITY INPUT

TOOLKITS, TECHNIQUES, HIGH-TECH AND NON-TRADITIONAL/DIVERSE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HELPS TO MAKE PLANNING ABOUT PEOPLE

“Whether the tools are VR, AI or going to places where real people hang out to get real input — the more we front load [planning] with people’s participation, the better off we will be,” said Jason Jordan, director of Policy & Government Affairs at the American Planning Association (APA).

“We need to go to the people, find out what is the problem to be solved, then create the project to address it.”

Planning, even by very well-intentioned professionals, tends to design the solution then sell it to those impacted by it.

“We have to be much more intentional. For instance, we need to do a better job of engaging the renter community vs. homeowners,” Jordan said.

“I saw a case study from Arlington County, Va. They helped create missing middle housing by context setting and storytelling that led to land-use and zoning reforms.

They shared data showing the need, but they engaged people from the ground up — instead of designing a project and asking, ‘do you like this [rendering] or not?’”