Why engage communities in urban planning?
Urban planning is not just about zoning and creating blueprints for future buildings or roads. It's about shaping the community and the environment in which people live. Civic engagement plays a crucial role in this process, ensuring that developments align with the needs and desires of its residents. This article discusses science-backed reasons illustrating the importance of incorporating civic engagement into urban planning.
Preventing conflicts
Engaging the community in urban planning is like laying down the groundwork for a smoother road ahead. Research shows that when people have a say in the planning process, it helps prevent conflicts later on. By keeping things transparent and giving everyone a chance to speak up, even if they don't agree with every decision, we can build acceptance for urban planning outcomes (Konsti-Laakso & Rantala, 2017).
Knowledge-based developments beyond science
Ever heard of civic science? It's all about getting citizens involved in making big decisions. But here's the thing: usually not everyone gets a seat at the table. Opportunities for community participation in urban policies are often limited, missing out on the chance to tap into diverse knowledge and enrich urban planning (Shrestha & Mahjabeen, 2011). This is a shame, as residents often know the ins and outs of their neighbourhood better than the planner.
Enhancing civic capacity & climate adaptation
Urban areas facing climate change need public participation in adaptation strategies. However, research shows that few cases illustrate robust civic capacity in governance of urban climate adaptation. There is a pressing need for further efforts to engage businesses and citizens in climate adaptation strategies, highlighting the growing importance of civic engagement in building resilient cities (Sarzynski, 2015).
Promoting evidence-based Urbanism through civic engagement
We all want our cities to be great places to live, right? Well, turns out, getting citizens involved in urban planning is key to making that happen. But here's the problem: there's often a big gap between what we hope for and what actually happens. There exists a significant divide between the aspirations for greater civic engagement and the realities of daily urban planning and design, suggesting the need for a more nuanced approach to participatory processes (Dyer, Corsini, & Certomà, 2017).
Conclusion
In conclusion, civic engagement in urban planning is essential for creating cities that not only reflect the needs and aspirations of their inhabitants but are also resilient to future challenges. By fostering dialogue, including diverse stakeholders, and leveraging civic science, urban planners can ensure that development is both inclusive and forward-looking.
Online tool as a solution
MapTalk, as an online participatory planning tool, offers a solution to the mentioned challenges faced in urban planning. By providing a transparent and inclusive online platform for community engagement, MapTalk makes participation accessible for all. MapTalk's dashboards and maps provide the means to reflect back on community comments and report on actions taken, facilitating transparency and accountability in the planning process.
Online tools not only promote evidence-based urbanism by enhancing community management, but they also play a crucial role in fostering youth engagement and advancing civic science for knowledge-based development. With its user-friendly interface and interactive features, MapTalk empowers diverse stakeholders to actively contribute to decision-making processes, thereby ensuring that urban development initiatives are inclusive, resilient, and aligned with community needs and aspirations.
References
Dyer, M., Corsini, F., & Certomà, C. (2017). Making urban design a public participatory goal: toward evidence-based urbanism. , 170, 173-186. https://doi.org/10.1680/JURDP.16.00038.
Konsti-Laakso, S., & Rantala, T. (2017). Managing community engagement: A process model for urban planning. Eur. J. Oper. Res., 268, 1040-1049. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EJOR.2017.12.002.
Sarzynski, A. (2015). Public participation, civic capacity, and climate change adaptation in cities. urban climate, 14, 52-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.UCLIM.2015.08.002.
Shrestha, K., & Mahjabeen, Z. (2011). Civic science, community participation and planning for knowledge-based development: analysis of Sydney Metropolitan Strategy. International Journal of Knowledge-based Development, 2, 412-432. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJKBD.2011.044315.