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.