This document discusses various methods for public participation in planning processes. It describes direct mail, news releases, displays/exhibits, open houses, public hearings, opinion surveys. Direct mail can reach a large audience with a simple message but requires moderate resources. News releases are effective for announcements and require few resources. Displays/exhibits provide information at locations people frequently visit. Open houses and public hearings give citizens opportunities to provide direct feedback and input to officials. Opinion surveys systematically gather input from a large number of people with a moderate time commitment. The document emphasizes that public participation is important for raising awareness, educating citizens, obtaining public input, and involving citizens in developing plans and proposals.

1. Public Participation (Part II)
College of Engineering, Pune

2. Public Participation
Purpose and the
Goals achieved
through Public
Participation..

3. Methods for involving citizens
 Citizens must be given the opportunity and encouragement to participate.
 Many citizens do not possess the skills necessary to act effectively on their
own.

4. Direct Mail..
Two basic components: An audience ; A message
Purpose- Awareness ; Education
Characteristics-
 Direct mail works best when you have a simple message and an easily identifiable
target audience.
 Direct mail requires little time commitment by citizens.
 Direct mail can reach or engage a large number of people.
 Requires moderate to high resource commitment by local governments.
Use in the planning process-
Direct mail can be used throughout the planning process, but will be most effective
early in the process when a large number of people can be reached. An effective
early message is key to improving awareness of the planning project a moderate to
high resource commitment by local governments.

5. News releases and mass media..
Description:
 It promotes public awareness and education via media outlets.
 Craft the message that you wish to communicate and determine the best media to
convey the message.
 Be concise.
Purpose: Awareness; Education; Reaches to larger population.
Characteristics
 Works best to announce developments and decisions.
 Require little time commitment by citizens.
 Can reach or engage a large number of people.
 Require a low resource commitment by local governments.
Use in the planning process-
News releases and use of mass media is appropriate throughout the planning process.
In fact, it may be one of the most effective ways to keep the project in the public
eye.

6. Displays and exhibits..
Description:
Shopping centres, vacant storefronts, fairs, libraries and municipal centres are all
good places for displays and exhibits.
Setting up a booth staffed by individuals knowledgeable about the topic or issue.
Purpose: Awareness; Education
Characteristics
Most effective when used in coordination with other citizen participation techniques,
such as open houses, visioning processes, or charities.
Purposes so that people don’t have to go out of their way to participate.
Use in the planning process:
They can be used in the plan review stage to provide information to citizens regarding
opportunities to participate in that process.

7. Open Houses..
Two main objectives:
To expose citizens to information and ideas that support the planning effort.
 To provide citizens with an opportunity to ask questions, express concerns, and
react to information and ideas.
Purpose: Obtain Public feedback; Awareness; Education
Characteristics:
Provide citizens an opportunity to ask questions and voice their hopes and concerns
directly to elected officials.
Require a moderate time commitment from citizens.
Potential to reach a moderate number of people in the community.
Use in the planning process
Identification and visioning step, the strategy formulation step, and the plan review
step of the comprehensive planning process.

8. Public Hearings..
A summary of why the hearing is being held. Alternative solutions , including any
recommended or preferred solutions to an issue or issues.
Public comments that react to, support, or oppose the solutions being considered.
These comments become part of the official record of the hearing.
Purpose: Present public with recommended courses of action;
Opportunity for public comment.
Characteristics:
Perfect setting for confrontation and conflict.
Involving citizens in the development of proposals.
Use in the planning process-
A public hearing is part of the minimum legal requirement for comprehensive planning
and citizen participation.
Any public hearing is greatly improved with proper planning, education..

9. Opinion Surveys..
Description:
The knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, opinions, behaviour and other attributes of
citizens surveys can be conducted orally.
Purposes: Public input; Opportunity for every household to be
involved.
Characteristics:
Opinion surveys have the advantage of systematically describing the views of
a large number of citizens.
The citizen time commitment associated with opinion surveys is moderate.
Use in the planning process:
Opinion surveys can be used very effectively during the issue identification
and visioning step of comprehensive planning.

10. Purposes of Citizen Participation..

12. Criteria for evaluating Public Participation..