Our Participatory Planning Toolkit

Civicplan takes a participatory planning approach to engagement that is multifaceted and flexible. It begins by understanding the type of engagement that works best for clients so that we can design a custom process to meet their needs. We work to set clear expectations about the nature of engagement, whether it is seeking simple feedback, engaging a dialogue about a specific issue, place or area, or bringing residents directly into planning change in their communities.

An important aspect of our approach to engagement has always been to offer effective options for people to engage that work with their abilities and time. Even before Covid 19 restrictions came into place we designed and implemented effective online engagement in tandem with in person experiences. Civicplan’s online engagement is developed using our PlanLocal service, which has been recognized by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Canada and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI). PlanLocal services provides concrete, data-driven insights decision makers can use to inform the planning and design process. Since the introduction of physical gathering restrictions due to Covid, we have shifted our engagement almost entirely online. Some examples of the unique tools and methods we have employed are as follows:

Virtual Ideas Lab

A Virtual Ideas Lab is a virtual engagement event that is designed as a visioning exercise. It allows residents to learn about a project context and review key ideas or themes related to the project. Additionally, the Ideas Lab provide residents with an opportunity to both share ideas their own ideas about the project or space, as well as prioritize proposed solutions or ideas presented. The Virtual Ideas Lab is more than just a one-time event, in that it will be available for participants to engage at their own pace over a set period of time.

Virtual Design Charette

In design-oriented projects, Civicplan can design and deploy a Virtual Design Charette that presents multiple redevelopment scenarios for a study area. The Charette may begin by presenting the details of the project context, followed by engaging participants to share their feedback and prioritize ideas. The end goal is to use resident input to determine a preferred redevelopment option for the site.

Virtual Public Information Centre (vPIC)

A vPIC process is designed to guide participants through a better understanding of the issue at hand, allow them to review potential solutions, as well as to comment on and identify their preference. This approach is designed to collect precise feedback to better inform future changes. As with our other virtual tools, a vPIC is not a one-off event at a specific time. Rather, it can run for an extended period, allowing more people, more opportunities for engagement.

These are just a few examples of what PlanLocal can do. Participants tell us that they appreciate the clear and easy-to-use approach that PlanLocal engagement offers. Our clients are pleased with the data-driven concrete results they receive in reporting, which allow them to develop solutions that are directly driven by public engagement.