Thursday, October 24, 2024

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.

 

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