PDX Planning Commissioner

Via Planetizen:

This piece from the Placeshakers and Newsmakers blog gives some practical advice for how to do online engagement for planning projects.

One huge takeaway is that you have to explain what the constraints on a project are. It’s easy for someone approaching your web site/tweet/facebook post to assume a blank sheet of paper. And that’s never the reality.

I can’t count the number of times on my transportation blog that I’ve had to reply to a comment on one of my posts with another comment saying some form of “gas tax revenues can’t be used for non-roadway improvements…”

It’s vital to create the proper context when soliciting community involvement online.

But while I’m on the subject, I want to pass on my compliments to the Portland Plan team for their excellent use of online tools and social media throughout the Portland Plan process. I hope many of you can join us on April 18th when the plan goes before City Council (6pm, Council Chambers in City Hall).