Apropost: Public Input via Blogs

Apropost – an article or story posted on the Web at an opportune time?

In the wake of the questions surrounding how to best open Cranston’s Comprehensive Plan for public review, there was an interesting post this week on Planetizen.com about the use of blogs and social networking sites to gather input on planning policies.

I believe it’s very likely that within a few years, planning departments will be using blogs, and perhaps other social networking site options, as approaches to public input on planning policy or development applications.

Perhaps some are doing it already?

In Vancouver we’re thinking about this, but we’re not there yet. Already though, bloggers are doing some of it themselves, commenting on new policy or processes, usually based on what they’ve read in the media. It went a step further recently, as bloggers watched nightly (via the live internet feed the City provides) as over a hundred delegations made presentations, and answered questions from Council (with play-by-play commentary from the bloggers) during the seven-night special council meeting on our EcoDensity Charter and Actions second draft.

My planning colleagues in other cities no doubt have their own stories. For example, I’m told in Calgary Alberta, a very high profile application for a “famous” country nightclub, saw their relocation attempt refused earlier this year. When the application was being considered by the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board in April, there were over 250 formal letters of opposition to the relocation received by the Board. At the same time, there was considerable dialogue occurring in internet forums and on Blogs.

Here’s the entire post, “Public Input by Blog”

Although local planning departments might not be utilizing blogs and forums through municipal channels, there are plenty of examples of internet-savvy citizens discussing and reviewing public policy on their own sites. Providence’s policies and development proposals are discussed on UrbanPlanet and Greater City: Providence. In Cranston, constructive public exchanges about the proposed Mulligan’s Island and other developments have occurred on Kmareka. The city’s Planning Department hopes to utilize the Web in capacity during the ongoing Comp Plan process.