It is the experiences of real people that should guide our planning efforts. Their actions are the data we should be collecting, not their stated preferences.
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Here are a few ideas to make you a more effective—and interesting—public hearing participant.
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Derek Avery spoke at the recent North Texas Gathering about doing revitalization without gentrification. As a follow-up, we interviewed Avery about his thoughtful approach to community development.
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If you had five minutes to plant a seed in the mind of an influential leader in your community, what would you tell them? Or give them to read? What article do you wish Strong Towns would publish that would help you make a concrete, needed change in your own community?
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New research out of Boston University confirms that those who speak at local public hearings are not representative of the public as a whole. Elected officials seeking to understand constituents’ views should treat these hearings as only one source among many.
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In this podcast episode, Chuck interviews four under-30 attendees of the Congress for the New Urbanism about their aspirations, goals, and the challenges of making a difference and being taken seriously as ambitious younger people in their respective fields.
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We’re constantly told that the world has become a flaming dumpster fire, and that only large-scale actions are adequate to address today’s urgent problems. But is that true? Chuck and three panelists explore this question in a podcast episode recorded at CNU in May.
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Nothing good comes of public engagement in which the public isn’t asked questions they can meaningfully contribute to answering. This is not how you build a trusting relationship: a strong foundation on which to work together. This is how you corrode trust.
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“Gamifying” public participation in budgeting—by inviting citizens to move imaginary buckets of money around—is essentially a charade. All the while, we’re failing to get to the root causes of municipal budget struggles.
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11 steps to more comprehensive reporting on zoning changes, new developments and everything in between.
Read MoreIt is the experiences of real people that should guide our planning efforts. Their actions are the data we should be collecting, not their stated preferences.
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To visit the Hapi Fresh Farmer’s Market in Akron, Ohio, is to see the beginning of a journey. Seeds have been planted to draw in more residents, more businesses, and to nurture a return to prosperity for the neighborhood.
Read MoreHere are a few ideas to make you a more effective—and interesting—public hearing participant.
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Communities that are serious about improving transparency and citizen engagement need to embrace technology. It’s proven to work.
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How can cities and towns effectively reach and listen to all residents, and use their perspectives to shape the future of the community? This guide will show you.
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I have yet to see a public input process that was participatory enough to reflect the desires of a community.
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A simple new web platform lets the public hearing process happen online, making it easier for residents to offer feedback — and for leaders to respond to it.
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If you want a city that appeals to young people, you have to ask them what they want.
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Plus one simple solution.
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It's not rocket science, guys.
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