Best Practices in Community Engagement & Public Participation

– When to Use High Tech, High Touch, or Both

Craig A. Wilson, AICPCEO/President

Community Planning Partners

Community Development Projects – High Touch a Must

• Require building community trust through real “face time” and genuine relationships.

• Demand the development of champions and sparkplugs that are willing to talk to their neighbors across the back fence.

• Necessitate overcoming barriers – language, literacy, racial or ethnic tension, disability, attitude about “the government,” etc.

• Often involve dealing with residents that have limited access to technology or don’t use it as a means to keep up on community issues.

• If supported by state or federal funds, have proscribed requirements for notifications, meetings, surveys, etc.

• May have a legal requirement for community engagement.

Strasburg Downtown Revitalization Project

• Utilized a CDBG Planning Grant provided by the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development.

• Consumer Interest Survey conducted using an on-line survey linked to the Town’s website via SurveyMonkey.

• 578 responses in a Town with an adult population of 5,009 for a participation rate of 11.5%.

• Announcement of public meetings and hearings in the Town’s newsletter enclosed in water bills in addition to the required newspaper advertisements.

• Regular project update posted on the Town’s website.

• A public design charrette conducted during the day and during the evening.

Galax Bottom Neighborhood Revitalization Project

• Communications, survey work, and community organizing efforts required that we have Spanish translation and interpretation.

• The Planning Team and Project Management Team had the right staff and neighborhood representatives around the table that knew the community and had inroads into the homes.

• But every community is different and sometimes the outsider has the better inroad.

• You have to be willing to commit the time needed to get to know the people, their needs, and even their schedules.

Richmond / RRHA Conservation Planning

• By law, communications had to be in writing to all impacted property owners.

• Public housing residents, though not directly impacted, were invited to attend through a notice in their rent bills.

• The two public meetings were very well attended.

• The presentation was thorough and honest, but brief.

• Visuals are always helpful, including maps, but be prepared to spend a lot of time with folks in front of the maps.

• Allow lots of time to just answer questions and talk.

• Never underestimate the importance of before- and after-meeting conversations, so be early and be willing to stay late.