Dave Biggs was the Chief Engagement Officer at MetroQuest Community Engagement Software and a passionate public engagement strategist focused on best practices in community engagement for planners. An internationally-recognized speaker and author, Dave has over 20 years of experience on a wide range award-winning projects with government clients and consulting firms, he has built a reputation for leading edge community outreach. Dave serves as trainer and advisor in community engagement to the American Planning Association, Transportation Research Board, and International Association for Public Participation, National Coalition of Dialogue and Deliberation and planning agencies throughout the US and Canada.
Facing Contention: 21 Tips to Detox Public Engagement
Forces are aligning to increase polarization and tension in public dialog, and planners are increasingly caught in the middle. A recent workshop with 100 engagement experts resulted in a free eBook to help planners detox their public involvement.
The Great Transportation Wormhole: Are We Ready for Autonomous Vehicles?
Transportation planners are on to something big and, for the most part, they are keeping it to themselves. The future is a relatively small fleet of shared, electric, self driving vehicles, and it's coming fast. Are we ready?
The Wisdom of Engaging Nervous Cyclists
It was clear to the City of Toronto that engaging less confident cyclists that make up 60% of the population, yet seldom come to community meetings, might be the key to dramatic mode shifts in the city. Here's how it happened.
Why Bother with Community Engagement?
What is the highest purpose of community engagement? Why do some planners go all out to hear from the public? This article dives into these questions based on nine interviews conducted at APA 2016.
How Community Engagement Can Restore Trust in Government
Trust between the public and government agencies is low, and democracies are paralyzed without it. How can community engagement help restore trust? This post outlines the challenge and a process for solving it.