Week 3: Community engagement and public participation within planning

Question 1

What are the key objectives of planning theory and practice in relation to public engagement?

Answer 1

• Situate ‘the public’ within planning theory and practice.
• Understand the function and value of Arnstein’s Ladder of Participation.
• Consider how community engagement theory is linked to current practice.

Question 2

What does the Canadian Institute of Planners’ Code of Conduct emphasize?

Answer 2

• Respecting diversity, needs, values, and aspirations of the public.
• Acknowledging the interrelated nature of planning decisions and their impact on human and natural environments.
• Serving public needs.
  Continuously building knowledge as a planner.

Question 3

Why is it important to recognize varying publics and their opinions in planning?

Answer 3

Public engagement ensures inclusivity in decision-making.

Helps determine who is taking part and how to effectively reach out.

Question 4

What are the six key steps in the planning process?

Answer 4

1. Identify the issue(s) → Stakeholders
2. Analysis
3. Build alternatives, options, and solutions → Information
4. Conduct environmental and social impact assessments
5. Select a plan → Integrated solutions
6. Implementation, monitoring, and legacy assessment

Question 5

Who are the three key actors in planning?

Answer 5

Political actors
Professional planners
Public(s) and interest groups

Question 6

What is the role of political actors in planning?

Answer 6

• Elected officials (city councilors) respond to voter mandates.
• They have decision-making power over planning issues.
• While planners make recommendations, politicians make the final decisions.

Question 7

What is the role of professional planners?

Answer 7

• Respond to city mandates and provide expert advice.
• Work under political actors but have specialized training and technical skills.
• Collaborate with municipal staff to develop plans.
• Have expertise but not always the power to implement changes.

Question 8

What is the role of the public and interest groups?

Answer 8

• Directly affected by planning decisions and must be consulted.
• Represent diverse backgrounds, capacities, and viewpoints.
• Must be granted some power by politicians and planners to have influence.
• Includes residential and commercial interests.
• Challenges include NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) where small groups resist change.

Question 9

What are the steps in converting agricultural land to residential use?

Answer 9

• Raw land (owned by farmers or landowners).
• Land sold and rezoned (by land agents, lawyers, financiers, planners).
• Land subdivided (by surveyors, market analysts, engineers, lawyers, planners).
• Lots marketed (by bankers, real estate agents, insurers).
• Houses built (by builders, contractors, mortgage agents, appraisers, buyers).

Question 10

How can planners determine if they are engaging the public effectively?

Answer 10

• Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation to assess levels of engagement.
• Recognize that not all forms of participation lead to impact.
• Understand that rungs on the ladder are not always clearly distinct.

Question 11

hat are key considerations for effective public engagement?

Answer 11

• Helps avoid manipulation.
• Requires technical planning skills.
• Needs to be scalable (higher engagement = more time and resources needed).

Question 12

What are three main methods of public engagement?

Answer 12

1. Communications:
   Newspaper, radio, TV
   Social media, leaflets, posters
2. Consultation:
   Focus groups, workshops, town halls
   Surveys, interviews, interactive forums
3. Participatory Decision-Making:
   Advisory bodies, participatory budgeting
   Citizen juries, conflict resolution processes

Question 13

What is the Planners in Public Space (PiPS) Program?

Answer 13

Increases planning literacy.

Ensures communities understand how planning functions.

Not project-specific—aims to create knowledge for informed participation.

Falls under Informing on Arnstein’s Ladder.

Question 14

What is the Planning Review Panel in Toronto?

Answer 14

• Operated from 2015–2020.
• Provided big-picture feedback on comprehensive plans.
• Membership created through lottery and self-selection.
• Influenced planning directives before detailed plans were finalized.
• Small, self-selected group (only 28 people).

Question 15

What is the Bras d’Or Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative?

Answer 15

Led by Mi’kmaq communities, in collaboration with federal, provincial, and municipal agencies.

Uses two-eyed seeing: integrates Indigenous and Western knowledge.

Moves beyond consultation to actual collaborative action.