Public Engagement Strategy and Action Plan

The current situation

• One of the biggest public works project in the country• Public awareness about the project is minimal• Non-transparency in the information system• People are misinformed• There is apprehension regarding the impact of the project on the city

In order to address these concerns, the government is putting more

emphasis on “citizen engagement”

Challenges to public engagement

• The current system does not even inform the proceedings of the project• Need to initially inform the residents about project details, as deemed fit

for public release• Moving Ahmedabadis from awareness to informed action will require a

major shift in current thinking and behavior.• Opportunities for direct involvement are not obvious.• Public engagement programs will require new and sustained resources

and the development of “strategic alliances” between the government and Ahmedabadis for public engagement programs to succeed.

HCPDPM and SRFDCL

• To address the issue of public engagement, the SRFD Communications team was created.

• It comprises of members from HCPDPM and SRFDCL.

HCPDPMBimal Patel

Riddhi ShethTushar Kansal

SRFDCLAnand Shah

Initial Objectives

• Increase transparency in the public information procedure• Beginning a process of public engagement • Understand and address the apprehensions people have for the project

by providing information

Vision: Inform the residents of the city about the Riverfront project

What can be done

• Basic awareness is the first step and public involvement in the project is the last and most desired step

• Ahmedabadis can come together and create a public culture that will define Ahmedabad

• The riverfront’s public relations team is uniquely positioned to:– Forge partnerships– Facilitate a citizen engagement initiative that will transform Ahmedabad and redefine

government’s approach to public participation throughout India

Public Engagement Goal

• To bring Ahmedabadis back to the Sabarmati

• Expected results:– More residents of the city are aware of the project proceedings – Reduction in apprehension regarding the project– Active participation by residents in events on the riverfront– Subsequent organization of events and activities by the residents on the riverfront– Taking ownership of the project and the space in due course of time

Strategic Approach

• The public engagement strategy will employ a two-pronged program approach:– SRFDCL-HCP will create public awareness about the project– SRFDCL-HCP will develop and implement their public engagement initiative

Priority Groups

• Target audiences:– Children and youth in and outside the formal education system– Senior citizens– Community based organizations– Media

• Decision makers, policy makers and opinion leaders:– Private sector– Academic sector– Government sector

Action plan – Current initiatives

• Initial understanding of public perception of the project– Focus groups at HCP (7 nos.)– Focus groups around Ahmedabad (7 nos.)

• Selection of focus groups was done to:– Address the residents of different areas of the city, – Across different socio-economic groups and – Different professions

Action plan – Current initiatives

• Disseminating project information by:– Creating a website– Preparing a list of FAQs– Preparing a presentation for providing overall information regarding the project– Preparing a brochure and poster– Preparing an information kit (brochure, riverfront movie, presentation)– Regular press releases (English and Gujarati newspapers)– Organizing focus groups (at HCP and around Ahmedabad)– Exhibition hall below Nehru Bridge – exhibition design

Action plan – Current initiatives

• Engaging residents of the city by:– Creating a list of potential events that can be organized on the sample stretch –Creating an event management plan and organizing events every fortnight on the sample stretch for a period of 3 months–Creating a method to receive feedback (website – contact us, feedback form on the brochure, feedback/ suggestion board on the sample stretch)–Forging partnerships with NGOs like Volunteer Ahmedabad to build mutual trust between NGOs and local authorities, and to help organize large events and activities better

Action plan – Progress of Current initiativesNo Program Progress Completion

date

1 Website Input of content 23/05/2010

2 FAQ list Complete 26/04/2010

3 Presentation Complete 10/05/2010

4 Brochure Complete from HCP, feedback remaining from SRFDCL 24/05/2010

5 Poster Pending 26/05/2010

6 Press releases Ongoing -

7 Focus groups Complete 21/04/2010

8 Exhibition hall Pending July 2010

9 Events list Complete, selection of events pending from SRFDCL 03/05/2010

10 Event management plan

Complete, approval and details pending from SRFDCL 19/05/2010

11 Organizing events at SS

Pending August, 2010

12 Forging partnerships

Pending Ongoing

Action plan – Future initiatives

• Disseminating project information by:– Project presentations in different areas of Ahmedabad across all socio-economic

spectrums– Creating a system of sending e-letters every week for people who sign up on the

website– Disseminating information kit around Ahmedabad– Public consultations in riverfront precincts, while making the development plans for

precincts– Empowering NGOs like SEWA, etc. to create awareness about the relocation process

among slum dwellers– Regular tours to the exhibition hall below Nehru Bridge

• Engaging residents of the city by:– Collecting feedback, compiling it and presenting it to respective authorities– Creating an event list on the website, where organizing activities/ events can be done

in an equitable manner

THANK YOU