Not Just Checking the Box: Keeping Public Participation Meaningful

Both private and public organizations are specifically calling out equity in their approach to public engagement. The emphasis is on intentional inclusion of stakeholders who historically have been left out of the conversation rather than public engagement that is just “checking the box”. In this session, Shoshana Akins (Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission) and Yosef Yip (WSP USA) will review community engagement techniques used, the priorities set and promotional strategies implemented to encourage equity and diversity, and the evaluation tactics used to analyze feedback and create actionable insights.

DVRPC has run the Public Participation Task Force (PPTF) for over 50 years but had to innovate quickly, meaningfully, and comprehensively to meet the correlated needs of the Covid-19 pandemic and the racial reckoning of this nation’s oppression and marginalization of Black and Brown residents. The PPTF, as well as many other residents of the Greater Philadelphia region, looked to deepen their involvement and knowledge of transportation planning at DVRPC during this time and staff responded with new techniques, honest dialogue, and accountability.

WSP USA’s Communications and Public Involvement (CPI) Group has over 50 public engagement professionals across the country. During the pandemic, the team supported clients to quickly adapt to new expectations for public outreach. The team continued to commit to critical outreach milestones through innovative approaches and transitioned all in-person engagement activities to virtual formats. At the same time, CPI is committed to equitable decision-making, ultimately fostering a world in which everyone can reach their full potential, participate fully, and have access to all opportunities generated through our work.