Public Engagement

A person’s thumb hovers over the Twitter app on a smart phone.

Is Twitter Still an Effective Planning Tool?

Twitter has been a daily dose of drama and upheaval ever since Elon Musk offered to pay over $40 billion to buy the social media platform. Media outlets and public transit agencies had been abandoning the social media platform—should planners?

May 18, 2023 - James Brasuell

Woman walking at marina in Pensacola, FL with boat in background

Pensacola Launches Active Transportation Plan

Pensacola, Florida, one of the least safe localities for pedestrians in a state full of them, is seeking public feedback for a new Active Transportation Plan.

October 18, 2022 - WUWF

The skyline of downtown Worcester, Massachusetts reveals urban densities and variety of building types.

Citywide Master Planning Process Launched in Worcester

The Massachusetts college town, with 200,000 residents, is kicking off the Worcester Now / Next long-range plan with a series of public engagement activities.

March 16, 2022 - Mass Live

 Building in Washington Avenue Historic District

Why a Complete Streets Makeover Went Awry in Philadelphia

The city pulled the plug on a proposed street redesign after community groups criticized the public engagement process for not listening to all local voices.

February 28, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

A group of people gather around an information booth to share ideas about the future of South Street in Philadelphia.

It's Time for Public Participation to Evolve With Transportation Planning

A manifesto by planning and transportation professionals committing to hearing all voices during public engagement processes.

November 15, 2021 - Marisa Denker

COTA Bus

Lessons from the Smart Columbus Pilot Program

The former program manager for Smart Columbus discusses the successes, challenges, and unexpected opportunities encountered by the city as it worked to integrate technology into city services and programs.

October 19, 2021 - Smart Cities Dive

Citibike 00001 jeh

Robust Data and Community Trust Crucial to Achieving Equitable Transit

Experts say a deep understanding of communities and access to rich local data are necessary for improving transit service for all segments of society.

October 15, 2021 - Government Technology

A person in a bright green vest with the words "Covid Marshall" patrols a street fair in Australia.

5 Tips for Planning Safe Post-Pandemic Events

As community events start move off-screen and become available to the public again, here are five ways organizers can ensure public health and safety.

October 13, 2021 - Devin Partida

Brooklyn, New York City

Planning via Zoom: Legal Scrutiny for Pandemic Realities in New York City

The question of whether a public review process conducted by Zoom is sufficient to approve a sweeping rezoning plan is a matter of no small legal concern in New York City.

February 24, 2021 - Commercial Observer

Boyle Heights

Bilingual Animations to Teach 'Planning 101'

The Inclusive Communities Project (ICP) is working to make planning more accessible in the Latino communities of Oak Hill in Dallas.

December 8, 2020 - Salud America!

Social Media Apps

Social Media Bots and the Community Planning Process

Recently published research examines the "Role of Artificial Intelligence in Community Planning"—that is, the role of automated bots on social media in corrupting participatory planning processes.

November 20, 2020 - International Journal of Community Well-Being

Newport Bridge

Urban Plan Ready for Public Scrutiny in Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island is undertaking a major planning initiative during the pandemic.

October 15, 2020 - NewportRI.com

California

How Engagement and Design Won Over Wary Neighbors

Despite opposition from the neighborhood, a low-income housing community was built in an upscale subdivision in California. How did developers make it happen?

October 9, 2020 - Shelterforce

Antelope Valley, California

Park Planning in a Pandemic

In pursuit of a grant for park development, Los Angeles County engages community members virtually to gather input and design a new park.

October 6, 2020 - Antelope Valley Press

New Jersey Power Plant

Landmark Environmental Justice Law Signed in New Jersey

New Jersey is now home to one of the "most stringent" environmental justice laws in the country.

September 30, 2020 - Next City

Coronavirus Social Distancing

Crossing the Digital Divide During COVID

Organizations blend past and present strategies to stay in touch with community members.

September 17, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

Public Meeting

It's Time to Move On From Community Consensus

Public meetings often disprove the notion that communities have a unified stance on any issue. With this in mind, we must move past trying to find consensus and focus on uplifting the most marginalized voices.

September 14, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

Telecommute

Are Virtual Public Meetings Here For Good?

Online public hearings and other meetings have become commonplace. A case can be made to continue virtual meetings even in the post-COVID-19 era.

September 9, 2020 - Governing

Cities: Skylines

Cities: Skylines as an Urban Planning Tool

Computer simulations continue to play a novel and important role in urban planning, especially in finding new ways to engage the public and add some fun to the process of planning for the future of cities.

August 10, 2020 - parCitypatory

Brooklyn, New York City

Questioning the Fairness of Rezoning During a Pandemic

Virtual reality meetings are a poor substitute for the normal public engagement process included in the city of New York's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, according ton opinion piece recently published by City Limits.

August 4, 2020 - City Limits

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.