10 Lessons in More Engaging Citizen Engagement

As Anacortes struggles with plans to update its Comprehensive Plan over the next couple of years, I thought I’d share the findings of two urbanists who examined how cities in the Vancouver, BC area are finding new ways to involve diverse voices beyond “the usual suspects.”

This is part of an occasional series of articles by others on community planning.

Vancouver urbanists Brent Toderian and Jillian Glover outline ten lessons from Metro Vancouver, including efforts to bring Town Hall online, to allow access to city services via smartphones, and to expand online consultation.

Some communities conduct what they call “walkshops,” moe than just a neighborhood tour, but a moving conversation while looking around. Some municipalities are having staff and services set up shop outside of City Hall. Other towns are trying to make public engagement events less stuffy and more fun to encourage attendance.

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