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Reaching New Communities Engaging Residents Unfamiliar With
(or Suspicious of!) the Planning Process
Alison LeFlore, AICP
Rob May, CEcD, CITY OF BROCKTON, MA
Emily Innes, LEED AP ND, HARRIMAN
Jennelle Graziano, LAWRENCE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Things Are Changing
• Our communities are changing
• How we communicate with one another is
changing
• The way residents expect their cities to
operate is changing
• Residents have less free time and are more
selective with volunteer activities
Public Engagement is Key to the
Planning Process
How We Engage Communities
Must Evolve and Adapt
• New technology is available
• More flexible and ongoing communication
necessary
• New and different techniques to reach
underrepresented groups
Why Engage?
• Education
• Feedback
• Stewardship
Who do we engage?
• Municipal Officials
• Municipal Staff
• Residents
• Business Owners
• Property Owners
• Nonprofits
• Institutions
• State Officials
Who Needs Extra Motivation?
• Working Parents
• Low Income Residents
• Youth and Young Adults
• Minority Residents
• Immigrant Communities
• Non-English Speakers
Traditional Approaches
Where YOU are
• Formal
– Workshops
– Presentations
– Charrettes
• Informal
– Drop-ins
– Open Houses
– Targeted Conversations
Traditional Techniques
• Mapping Exercises
• SWOT Analysis
• Paper Surveys
• Presentations
• Facilitated Discussion
New Techniques
• Pop up and different locations
• More interactive activities
• Creative and unique approaches
• Combination of in person and online
activities
• Provide opportunities for different levels of
engagement
Reaching New Communities
Where the COMMUNITY is
• Neighborhood Associations
• Meetings of Community Organizations
• Business Groups
• Festivals
• Radio Shows
• Local Cable
• Social Media
Community Inventory
• Important step to identify the various
community groups
• Build connections with community leaders
• Use community leaders to bring others to the
process
• Include local organizations, nonprofits, social
service groups, advocacy groups, religious
entities, business associations, everyone!
Engaging Non-English Speakers
• Translations are helpful, but not the only tool
• Ask community members to help facilitate;
this is a great role for teenagers!
• Many communities have multiple dominant
languages
Project Website
• Important tool to share information
• Provides location for Project Materials
Social Media
• Each community has a different relationship
with social media
• Identify the right platform for your project
– NextDoor
– Always something new!
Social Media: Tips and Tricks
• Develop a social media strategy
• Keep it fresh
• Some users will respond to questions, others
will just look at what is posted
Power of Technology
• Online Workshops
• Opportunities for Interaction
• Mapping Tools
• Online Forums
Reducing Barriers
• Language Barriers
• Time Challenges
– Meet at different days/times
– Meet in different locations
– Provide child care, or even better – include kids
in the meeting
• Free Food
Successful Processes
• LawrenceTBD
LawrenceTBD
LawrenceTBD
A Blueprint for Brockton
• Listening Tour: 7 meetings, different
locations, times, targeted audiences
A Blueprint for Brockton
• 100+ participants, >1% of City’s Population
Reaching New Communities Engaging Residents Unfamiliar With
(or Suspicious of!) the Planning Process
Questions and Discussion
Top Related