Description

Public participation and civic engagement have become an increasingly important part of the planning process. Successfully engaging the public in planning and decision-making can create a beneficial environment that builds consensus, reaches a collective community goal, and even lessens friction among opposing factions. In order to implement any plan, there needs to be cooperative and coordinated action among the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Through a constructive dialogue, decision-makers, planners, and the public can shape a vision for a community, a county, or a region.