Participation level:

Medium (Opinions noted)

Innovation level:

High (Innovative)

Facilitator skill level, and other support required:

High (Specialist skills)

Can be used for:

Showcase product, plan, policy
Engage community
Discover community issues
Develop community capacity
Develop action plan
Communicate an issue

Planning for Real aims to increase community involvement and knowledge of proposed changes or planning issues through allowing citizens to place their suggestions and concerns directly onto a three-dimensional model; this also increases the chance that planning and decision-making will be made with a fuller knowledge and understanding of community issues and needs.

Planning for Real delivers a design or plan that incorporates community needs and issues, and that will therefore be more acceptable and useful to the community, and will give the community a sense of ownership of the plan that may incorporate elements of community monitoring and maintenance.

Provides a three-dimensional model that may help people better envisage the changes suggested for the neighborhood.
Offers a hands-on approach that allows participants to visualize the preferred future for an area.
Particularly effective in mobilizing community support and interest.
Specific projects are identified and implementation is set in motion.
Has advantages for those who are more visual/tactile in their approach.
Can help bridge language barriers in mixed language areas.

Requires commitment from decision makers to follow through on suggestions.
Needs commitment from participants to stay for two and a half hours to participate in the whole process.
Can be expensive to develop a three-dimensional model.
If building a model with volunteers and found materials, can take three months to collect materials and create the model in easily movable sections.
Can take two to three months for follow up and feedback.

Organizing Planning For Real

How many people to organize?

Large (> 12 people)
Medium (2-12 people)

Time required:

Long (> 6 months)

Cost:

High (> AUD$10,000)

Hire a knowledgeable moderator to start the process, although a community member with some background in community development could readily pick up the key concepts through the 'kit' which is sold by the Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation.
Assemble the three-dimensional model of the neighbourhood from lightweight material and in easily-transportable sections (ask volunteers, a local club, students, or others as a way to involve key people). The model is usually best at a scale of 1 to 200 or 1 to 300, which allows people to identify their own home.
Use the model to publicise public meetings, by taking it around shopping centres and community meeting points for about two weeks to generate interest and begin the process of identifying problems and opportunities.
Begin training sessions with a few local residents to familiarise them with the process.
Hold public meetings where cutouts are placed on the model as a way to identify issues of concern to the community.
Form small, ad hoc 'working parties' around these issues, for example, Traffic, Shopping Facilities, Play Areas, Work Opportunities, Coastal Zone Management and Planing etc. These working parties then meet to work out details and to negotiate between conflicting interests and priorities, using a 'Now, Soon, Later' chart as guide.
Plan a series of activities to develop a momentum that continues into specific practical proposals. Sufficient time is needed for an effective exercise. Three months is suggested for the initial stage of mobilization, setting up a steering group, building the model and publicizing the sessions.
Circulate steps taken in local newsletter and/or media.