Innovations in Public Engagement

Daniel FuscaWednesday, February 11, 2015

University of Toronto@dfusca

TRENDS IN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

HOW W’ERE IMPROVING ENGAGEMENT

WHAT IS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT?

What is Public Engagement?

“Public engagement is a process that brings

people together to address issues of common

importance, to solve shared problems, and to

bring about positive change. Effective public

engagement invites average citizens to get

involved in deliberation, dialogue and action on

public issues that they care about. And, it helps

leaders and decision makers better understand

the perspectives, opinions, and concerns of

citizens and stakeholders.

”From Public Agenda’s “FAQs: All About Public Engagement”

Effective Public Engagement…

Explores a variety of

perspectives

Builds common understanding

Establishes direction

Builds trust; Improves

communication

*Adapted from Public Agenda’s “FAQs: All About Public Engagement”

Public Engagement Spectrum

*Adapted IAP2’s Public Participation Spectrum

Inform Consult InvolveCollaborat

eEmpower

Provide the public with balanced & objective information to assist them in understanding the problems, alternatives and/or solutions

Obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives and/or a decision

Work directly with the public throughout the process to ensure that public issues and concerns are consistently understood and considered

Partner with the public in each aspect of the decision including the development of alternatives and the identification of the preferred solution

Place final decision-making in the hands of the public

In 2013, City Planning held 384 non-statutory community consultations involving over 19,000 residents.

To build capacity and

inform participation

To inform planning processes

To facilitate city building

Why do we engage?

When we receive a

development application

When a neighbourhoo

d-based planning

process is initiated

When a city-wide

planning process or

special study is initiated

When do we engage?

When we want to talk about city building

City PlanningEvaluation &

Recommendation

LawZoning Bylaw, Other

Bylaws, Council decisions, Ontario Municipal Board, Committee of Adjustment

Planning PolicesProvincial Policy

Statement, Growth Plan, Official Plan

PeopleApplicant, City

Departments & Agencies, Local Community, Other

Stakeholders

Determining the Public Interest

Facts & FiguresDetails of development

proposal, physical context

TRENDS IN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

HOW W’ERE IMPROVING ENGAGEMENT

WHAT IS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT?

Open Data

CollaborateInform

Social Media

Inform Consult

Consult Involve

IdeaSpaceTO

Collaborate

Consult Involve

MetroQuest

Inform

Consult Involve

Minecraft

Text Messaging

99 % of all

texts are opened

90SEC

Average responsetime for a

text message

Click-through-rate for text is 4x higher

than for e-mail

EMAIL

4XTEXT

MESSAGE

*Adapted from Mobile Commons

Inform Consult

Branding

Inform

City of Toronto Planning StudyEGLINTONconnects

>

Do-it-Yourself Engagement

Consult Involve

Citizen Reference Panels

Collaborate

TRENDS IN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

HOW W’ERE IMPROVING ENGAGEMENT

WHAT IS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT?

Study Objectives

1. Better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the current community planning process in Toronto

2. Explore new engagement models and tools3. Explore opportunities and best practices related to implementing

Community Planning Advisory Groups in each Ward (or geographic area)

4. Explore opportunities to broaden participation among key audiences, including youth, new immigrants, and low-income residents

5. Identify other opportunities to improve the quality of feedback through the community planning process

IMPLEMENTATION

1Strategic Direction

2Strategic Direction

3Strategic Direction

VISION: To become North America’s most engaged city on planning issues

Opportunities for Change

Pillars of Effective Engagement

Opportunities for Change

Actions Actions Actions

Study Elements

Stakeholder PartnershipStrategy

Ethnic Media Strategy

Engagement Action Plan

Youth Engagement

Strategy

Open Data Framework

Study Timeline

1

Building Blocks

Identify & pursue key stakeholder partners

Identify ethnic media partners & develop Ethnic Media Strategy

Public Launch

WE ARE

HERE

Opportunities &Constraints

Identify draft Opportunities for Change

Identify draft Pillars of Effective Engagement

1 2 3GROWINGPARTNERSHIPS

TAKINGSTOCK

April – June 2014

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY

July – Dec 2014

DEVELOPINGSOLUTIONS

Winter/Spring 2015

4REPORTINGBACK

Summer/Fall 2015

Strategic Directions& Actions

Identify draft Strategic Directions

Identify draft Actions

Final Recommendations

Final Report

ETHNIC MEDIA STRATEGY

Draft Opportunities for Change

1. Development Review Process2. Inclusivity3. Transparency & Accountability4. Planning Literacy5. Access to Information6. Online & Mobile Technology7. Collaborations8. Community

Draft Principles for Effective Engagement

1. Transparent2. Timely3. Iterative4. Inclusive5. Innovative6. Respectful7. Educational8. Fun9. Community-building

Next Steps• Youth Engagement Strategy to be completed by early March 2015

• Finalize Principles for Effective Engagement & Opportunities for Change

• Second round of consultations – spring 2015

• Develop draft Strategic Directions

• Develop draft Actions

• Ethnic Media Strategy rollout

• Open Data Framework

• Final report to Council in mid to late 2015

Thank you.