Public Meetings
San Jose Tests AI Translation Tool to Improve Access to Public Meetings
More than half of the city’s population speaks a language other than English at home, making translation services a key pillar of accessibility.
The Problem With Tone Policing
One common criticism of pro-housing advocacy is that supporters of new housing are (in the words of one commentator) “arrogant.” But there is no reason to believe that this is any less true of their opponents.
Alexandria Residents Weigh in on Zoning Reform
The city’s proposed ‘Zoning for Housing’ is drawing criticism from multiple sides.
Community Engagement at L.A. County Parks
The L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting over 60 public meetings in September to connect with the public and gather input to inform decision-making and resource allocation.
The Problem With Public Input
The current community input process often amplifies the voices of already powerful groups who act to stop valuable projects for their own benefit.
Chicago Seeks Public Input on Clark Street Improvements
The city is creating a strategy for improvements in the Clark Street corridor to improve the area's walkability and stimulate the local economy.
New Jersey Affordable Housing Plan Testimony Concludes After 14 Months
A housing plan in one of the wealthiest zip codes in the country has stirred more than a year of controversy.
The Consequences of Community Engagement
Long, onerous environmental review processes focused on public input can cause major delays and cost increases for infrastructure and transportation projects.
Vancouver Considers Easing Rezoning for Social Housing
The proposal would let non-profits build housing developments of up to six stories without a public rezoning process in mid-rise neighborhoods.
Lawsuit Challenges Zoom Hearings on Gowanus Rezoning Plan
Planning departments relying on online public hearing processes will want to keep monitor this lawsuit in New York City.
It's Time to Move On From Community Consensus
Public meetings often disprove the notion that communities have a unified stance on any issue. With this in mind, we must move past trying to find consensus and focus on uplifting the most marginalized voices.
The State of Public Meetings
Dating back to a tradition begun in the 1630s, public meetings are an essential part of the political systems, and planning processes, of U.S. cities. Public meetings are also broken, according to this article.
A Wake Up Call for Planning Commissioners
Planning commissioners play an essential role in monitoring issues and projects of critical importance to the welfare of entire neighborhoods and cities. Why then, do so many commissioners seem to be sleeping on the job?
Rural Texans Air Objections to High Speed Rail
Parts of rural Texas sound a bit like the outspoken high speed rail opponents in California's Central Valley in their reaction to the Texas Central Railway's bullet train which maintains strong support at the terminal cities of Houston and Dallas.
When Debating a Controversial Plan, Does 30 Percent Equal a Majority?
In the face of vocal opposition, Vancouver's city council approved a proposed bike route and greenway. For one former councillor, if a third of the speakers in hostile public meetings support a project, that's enough to indicate a silent majority.
What Not to Say at a Public Meeting
Unfortunately, many of us have likely suffered a bout of foot-in-mouth syndrome during a past presentation. Edward W. Erfurt IV lists the 10 worst things to say during a public meeting, in the hopes of clearing then from our minds.
Prizes for Public Participation
Looking to spur civic engagement, officials in Boulder, Colorado are experimenting with unusual incentives for attendees of city-sponsored meetings.
Friday Funny: Public Comment Gold
A sample of public comments from meetings in the eccentrically out-there city of Santa Cruz, California.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
