Strategies for Engaging Communities in Urban Spaces

Develop a Multi-Channel Communication Strategy using this 7-Step Framework I crafted a framework to create a dynamic, inclusive & repeatable communication strategy to keep residents informed, engaged & motivated to participate in community activities Here's my 7-step framework to develop & implement this strategy: 1️⃣ IDENTIFY AUDIENCE Importance: Understanding the audience helps us tailor the communication methods to their needs & preferences Actions: 1. Segment audience based on demographics (e.g., older residents may prefer direct mail, while younger residents may favor social media) 2. Gather input through surveys & conversations to learn which communication channels most used 3. Identify key community groups (e.g., families, small business owners, students, seniors) & unique interests 2️⃣ CHOOSE RIGHT COMMUNICATION CHANNELS Importance: Not everyone consumes information the same way, so using multiple channels maximizes reach Channels to include: 1. Direct Mail: Ideal for older residents or those without reliable internet access. Send postcards or newsletters highlighting key events 2. Social Media: Use platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) to share updates & details 3. Website & Bulletin Boards: Place posters/flyers in high-traffic areas 4. Local Media: Work with newspapers/radio/TV to promote events 5. Email Newsletters: Create an opt-in email list for those who prefer digital updates 3️⃣ CREATE CONSISTENT MESSAGING Importance: Clear & consistent messaging builds trust & strengthens engagement Actions: 1. Use a friendly & inclusive tone 2. Highlight impact of participation 3. Keep messages concise & visually appealing 4️⃣ DEVELOP CONTENT CALENDAR Importance: A content calendar ensures regular updates & prevents communication gaps Actions: 1. Plan posts & mailings a month in advance For example: Wk 1: Send a community newsletter Wk 2: Post event reminders Wk 3: Share success stories Wk 4: Promote upcoming initiatives with a call-to-action 2. Schedule reminders for key dates like meetings or volunteer events 5️⃣ ENCOURAGE 2-WAY COMMUNICATION Importance: Engagement improves when residents feel heard & involved. Actions: 1. Include feedback forms in mailings, social media, or newsletters 2. Host live Q&A sessions on social media or during in-person events 3. Create a designated email or phone line for residents to share ideas/concerns 6️⃣ MEASURE & ADJUST Importance: Regular evaluation ensures #strategy is effective & responsive to community needs Actions: 1. Track participation metrics (e.g., attendance) 2. Collect feedback through surveys or informal discussions 3. Adjust strategy based on what works best 7️⃣ BUILD SENSE OF COMMUNITY Importance: Creating a sense of belonging encourages participation Actions: 1. Share stories & spotlight resident contributions 2. Use visuals to showcase outcomes 3. Celebrate milestones! What else do you think we should be doing? #Government #innovation

Beyond the Public Meeting: Reaching More Voices in Town of Stow, MA For a long time, I’ve believed that traditional public meetings only scratch the surface of community engagement. They tend to attract the usual participants, leaving out many others—especially those who have less time, less access, or less trust in the process. That’s why I’m especially proud of the work happening right now in Stow as part of their Local Comprehensive Plan. With our JM Goldson team’s support, the town is leaning into a deeper, more intentional engagement strategy—one that meets people where they are. Austin Smith, MCP from our team is managing this effort with thoughtfulness and creativity, and we’re so fortunate to be partnering with Valerie Oorthuys, AICP and Michael Slagle—terrific planners who are committed to ensuring all voices in Stow have a chance to be heard. Here’s what this deeper engagement looks like: 1. Beyond the meeting: Digital tools and in-person options that don’t depend on a single time and place. 2. Targeted outreach: Using network mapping to identify who’s missing and developing strategies to reach them. 3. Multiple ways to participate: Surveys, pop-ups, small group conversations—meeting people in the ways that work best for them. When engagement reflects the full fabric of a community, the planning that follows is stronger and more grounded in lived experience. Photo Credit: Lisa Phaneuf #CommunityEngagement #InclusivePlanning #StowMA #LocalComprehensivePlan #PublicParticipation #CommunityVoices

#Communityengagement in urban redevelopment often fails to achieve intended goals. Community co-design is different. 👉 It shifts the focus away from designing FOR stakeholders to designing WITH stakeholders by bringing diverse groups into the design process. Learn how the City of Rochester and the Mayo Clinic and Destination Medical Center (DMC) developed their community co-design approach to achieve real impact for historically marginalized populations by overcoming barriers to meaningful engagement. ♿ There are real award-winning solutions here -- recognized by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The Centre for Urban Transformation at the World Economic Forum is excited to highlight this approach as part of our case studies featuring successful #publicprivatecollaboration Patrick Seeb

I’m excited to share a new blog: How Co-Creation Drives Inclusive Community Engagement. In this blog, I share candidly about what I’ve learned about co-creation and community engagement. The blog also covers: ➡️9 tips for adding more co-creation with communities, for something tangible that can be applied to your team’s next engagement process. ➡️2 short case studies, one of which is our successful engagement recently completed in partnership with Sustainable Cleveland, where Bianca M. Butts and I supported the City in hosting 6 community roundtables to get input on the Climate Action Plan update. I am grateful that the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability truly values co-creation with communities, because it makes for a more inclusive - and accessible - process. According to a presentation by the EPA on their Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, co-creation also means: ✅ People have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health ✅ Decision makers will seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected Have you used co-creation in your community engagement and if so, what worked well? Link for blog in comments.