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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