Lesson 8 - Public Engagement

Question 1

Public participation

Answer 1

As a planner, you have an ethical obligation to involve citizens in the planning process.

Question 2

International Association for Public Participation

Answer 2

https: //icma.org/documents/iap2-public-participation-toolbox
http: //www.gardguide.com/images/b/bb/IAP2sPublicParticipationSpectrum.jpg

Question 3

design charrette

Answer 3

is an intensive collaborative effort that brings together citizens, stakeholders, and staff to develop a detailed design plan for a specific area. A charrette may be held over one or more days. This is an effective technique for quickly developing consensus. The Charrette Institute provides a number of examples of how charrette’s can be effectively structures.

Question 4

Delphi Method

Answer 4

a structured process of public participation with the intent of coming to a consensus decision. The method was created in 1944 for the U.S. Army Air Force. A panel of selected, informed citizens and stakeholders are asked to complete a series of questionnaires. The questions are typically written as hypotheses. After each round of questioning, feedback on the responses is presented to the group anonymously. Participants are encouraged to revise their answers based on the replies heard. Over time, the range of answers decreases and the group converges towards a single solution.

Question 5

Nominal Group Technique

Answer 5

is a group process involving problem identification, solution generation, and decision making that can be used for groups of any size that want to come to a decision by vote. This allows for everyone’s opinions to be considered by starting with every group member sharing their ideas briefly. Someone is creating a list of the ideas. Duplicate solutions are deleted. Participants then rank the solutions. The rankings are then discussed. This can lead to further ideas or combinations of ideas. The solution with the highest ranking is selected.

Question 6

Facilitation

Answer 6

uses a person who does not have a direct stake in the outcome of a meeting to help groups that disagree work together to solve complex problems and come to a consensus. The facilitator is typically a volunteer from the community who is respected by all groups. In some cases, a professional facilitator is hired to assist in running the meeting.

Question 7

Mediation

Answer 7

a method in which a neutral third party facilitates discussion in a structured multi-stage process to help parties reach a satisfactory agreement. The mediator assists the parties in identifying and articulating their interests and priorities. The agreement typically specifies measurable, achievable, and realistic solutions. The final agreement is typically in writing. This is a dispute-resolution process that is typically used to help resolve conflict without involving the court system.

Question 8

public hearing

Answer 8

is typically associated with the Planning Commission, City Council, or other governing bodies. These meetings allow formal citizen input at the end of a planning process. Public hearings are typically mandated by law. Hearings are typically ineffective at building public participation and consensus.

Question 9

visual preference survey

Answer 9

is a technique that can be used to assist citizens in evaluating physical images of natural and built environments. Citizens are asked to view and evaluate a wide variety of pictures depicting houses, sites, building styles, streetscapes, etc. Scores are used to indicate whether a design is what a citizen sees as appropriate for their community.