Community Planning: Methods
Online consultation
- description
- more detail
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Online consultation provides a channel of communication between a developer or government body that is accessible, convenient, interactive and auditable. Particularly useful for issues and projects that affect a large geographical area or large population such as major property developments and renewable energy projects. A good way to engage a broad audience in consultation, including people who do not typically get involved.
Issues and proposals are presented online in a user-friendly, visual, interactive way.
Visitors to the website are able to read and digest all information and proposals and then opt to make a response if they wish.
People wishing to respond register and provide some personal details so responses can be analysed.
Participants are given the option to be kept up-to-date via email about the consultation and the project.
A full audit trail of activity and communication is maintained.
Feedback is stored in a secure database where it can be viewed, responded to and reported on by the organisers.
Reports are generated on activity, feedback and key issues raised for further analysis.
Issues and proposals are presented online in a user-friendly, visual, interactive way.
Visitors to the website are able to read and digest all information and proposals and then opt to make a response if they wish.
People wishing to respond register and provide some personal details so responses can be analysed.
Participants are given the option to be kept up-to-date via email about the consultation and the project.
A full audit trail of activity and communication is maintained.
Feedback is stored in a secure database where it can be viewed, responded to and reported on by the organisers.
Reports are generated on activity, feedback and key issues raised for further analysis.
Photocredits
top: Queens Park, Bedford, UK, 1995, unknown.
bottom: London, UK, 1997, Nick Wates.
top: Queens Park, Bedford, UK, 1995, unknown.
bottom: London, UK, 1997, Nick Wates.
Get Involved
Get Involved page for Viking Energy Wind Farm. Client: Viking Energy. www.vikingenergy.co.uk
Tips
- Run online community consultation alongside traditional community planning activities – such as workshops, exhibitions, postal surveys – to give everyone the chance to join in.
- Publicise online consultations well i.e. in local newspapers, newsletters and websites. Send personal invitations to key stakeholders, possibly with a special code to allow them to register more quickly.
- Keep information simple but make technical/planning documents available for download for those that want them.
- Ensure the registration process is quick and simple. Mostly just request a name, email address and postcode.
- Ensure your online questionnaire matches with your ‘offline’ questionnaire.
- Keep the online consultation content, and the people who have signed-up, regularly updated.
- Consider search engine optimisation, marketing and social media platforms to raise awareness of and drive visitors to online consultations.
- Ensure feedback can be reported on effectively, filtering where needed to drill down to the views of those most affected (e.g. certain postcodes) or to isolate key topics (e.g. visual impact, wildlife, access).
- Use interactive maps and master plans or films to bring proposals to life.
Costs
- From US$800 (venue and materials) to $24,000 (trained facilitator to prepare for several months).
Typical Planning for Real process
- Initiation. Define area. Set up Steering Group. Get support. Purchase model pack (optional) or gather materials. (3 months)
- Make model. A collective exercise by Steering Group, often with school children or students. Usually to a scale of 1:200 or 1:300 which allows people to identify their own homes and in sections so that it is easily transportable. (2 days)
- Publicise activity. Take model around the area to generate interest.
(2 weeks) - Training session. Run through process with Steering Group.
(2 hours) - Open sessions. One or more times in different locations.
- People gather around model. Introduction by facilitator explaining objectives and process. (10 mins)
- Participants individually place suggestion cards on the model. Professionals watch and answer questions but do not take part. (30 mins) Participants discuss results and rearrange cards until collectively happy with the result. (30 mins)
- Participants record results, usually on priority cards setting out the suggestion and its location. (30 mins)
- Participants prioritise suggestions by placing priority cards on Now, Soon or Later boards and identifying who should take action. (30 mins)
- Discussion on next steps and establishing working parties on the main issues. (20 mins)
- Working parties. Follow up suggestions. (2 months)
- Feedback. Circulation of newsletter. (1 month)
Sample advertising leaflet
Key components: Slogan summarising overall purpose; venue; time; date; statement of immediate objectives and perhaps some background information; map of area with venue marked; name of organisers.
Key components: Slogan summarising overall purpose; venue; time; date; statement of immediate objectives and perhaps some background information; map of area with venue marked; name of organisers.
checklist
- Is the purpose of the consultation clear (how results will be used; what stage planning is at)?
- Is information presented in an easy-to-understand way, avoiding jargon and presented in relevant sections?
- Is it easy for people to register?
- Is the questionnaire unambiguous?
- Can people ask questions and opt to be kept updated via email as proposals evolve?
- Do all interested parties know about the opportunity for online consultation?
- Is the data collected in a secure and manageable way?
Inspiration
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"Compromise and consensus become easier because everyone's line of vision converges on the subject matter the model itself allowing for practical ways of non-threatening communication and participation."
Suggestion cards
These can be prepared with blanks for people to add any ideas of their own. The use of colour and visual symbols makes the process accessible to those with low literacy skills
Suggestion cards
These can be prepared with blanks for people to add any ideas of their own. The use of colour and visual symbols makes the process accessible to those with low literacy skills
Priority cards
These are used to record all suggestions and their location
Photocredits
left:
right:
Priority cards
These are used to record all suggestions and their location
lef
Priority cards
These are used to record all suggestions and their location
Photocredits
left:
right:
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