e-Participation: Comparing Trends in Practice and the Classroom

Abstract

This article reports an assessment of the growing use of Internet-based public participation methods, e-participation, in planning practice and university-level planning education in the USA. After documenting results from case study reviews of practice and a web-based survey of planning faculty, a comparative analysis reveals that academic programs are incorporating a range of e-participation tools; however, there is a need to increase curricula content to mirror trends in planning practice. The article concludes with recommendations on how to build on the strengths and to address the weaknesses observed in this study to better prepare students for the demands of planning practice.

Keywords::

• e-participation
• citizen participation
• planning pedagogy

Notes

^1. This research assessed the use of nine e-participation methods and associated tools. Blog/Micro-blog is a website where one or multiple authors post information, images or links and where others can post comments and discussions. Crowdsourcing sites enable an entity such as a planning department to obtain information or ideas from a crowd of people much like face-to-face brainstorming sessions. Photo/Video Sharing is the method of posting images to a website or proprietary site by organizations and stakeholders. Scenario Planning/Visioning is the use of mapping and graphic software that facilitates public input in person and via the Internet. Social Networking sites are proprietary platforms that enable users to share information, pictures, events and other content with friends, colleagues and others with similar interests as well as to comment on posts made by others in the users' network. Virtual meeting sites are Internet services that enable individuals at multiple locations to participate in a meeting, classroom or conference. Web-based survey is identical to a paper-based survey except that it is administered and hosted on the Internet. Website is a related collection of pages hosted on the Internet. Wiki is a website that allows collaborative editing of content such as factual information about a place.

^2. Albany, NY, Alexandria, VA, Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Metropolitan Area, MI Aransas County, TX, Atlanta, GA, Austin, TX, Baltimore, MD, Binghamton, NY, Boise, ID, Boston, MA, Cape Cod, MA, Castle Rock, CO, Chicago, IL, Damariscotta, ME, Davis, CA, Dennis and South Dennis, MA, East RI/West MA, El Paso, Teller, and Pueblo Counties, CO, Elmwood Park, IL, Grand County, CO, Grand Junction, CO, Hartford, CT, Hillsboro, OR, Hillsborough County, FL, Kansas City, KS, Lancaster County, SC, Lincoln, NE, Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Milford, DE, Minneapolis, MN, Montrose, CO, New Orleans, LA, New York City, NY, Newark, DE, Norfolk, VA, Saint Paul, MN, Salt Lake City, UT, San Francisco, CA, San Jose, CA, Southeast Iowa, Bellingham, WA, Victor, ID, Washington D.C., Xenia, OH.

^3.http://www.ncpc.gov/swecodistrict/

^4.https://www.facebook.com/Phila2035

^5.http://www.improvesf.com/

^6.http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID = 1418

^7.http://dennismalocalcomprehensiveplan.wordpress.com/

^8.https://www.youtube.com/norfolktv

^9.http://www.landscapemap2.org/ecoservices/

^10.https://www.alexandriava.gov/whatsnext/default.aspx?id = 67946