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September 14, 2011
Can Collaborative Computer Programming Produce Sustainable Software for Planners?

In recent years, government sponsored hack-a-thons have become a highly utilized form of software development for a diverse number of industries - the field of urban planning is no exception to this ‘peer production’ type of approach. These contests and challenges are popping up everywhere. One such example of this is Oregon’s City Council Agenda App, designed to to encourage dialog between local City government and residents. While applications produced by government challenges such as these are some of the most innovative and creative online engagement tools available to city planners, unfortunately many are quickly abandoned. 

In recent years, government sponsored hack-a-thons have become a highly utilized form of software development for a diverse number of industries - the field of urban planning is no exception to this ‘peer production’ type of approach. These contests and challenges are popping up everywhere, with the purpose of bringing highly skilled developers together in a collaborative computer programming environment in which to build new interactive software applications.

August 15, 2011
System Dynamics: Planning for Smarter Cities

Smart cities don’t happen by accident.  To help planners and policy makers better understand and manage the dynamic behavior of cities, IBM Global Business Services is introducing new analytics software and services based on their “smarter cities” strategy.  System Dynamics for Smarter Cities is an interactive model that allows leaders to observe how the core systems of a city -- such as the economy, housing, education, public safety, transportation, health care, government services and utilities -- work together and affect one another. 

July 11, 2011
How Storytelling Helped Three Communities Find Their Heart & Soul

Storytelling has long been used to connect people to each other and to celebrate the past, but a handful of communities today see storytelling as the way to a better future. The three communities highlighted here and in the Planning Tool Exchange used storytelling to engage their citizens and identify common values – part of a broader community planning processes.

May 17, 2011
Craigslist Foundation Recently Launched Likeminded.org

Inspired by local community success stories that had yet to be shared beyond the community itself, the Craigslist Foundation, well known as a catalyst for individual and collective action for the public good across America, set out a little over a year ago to develop an online platform which would help spread these powerful stories to a broader audience. The concept behind this public engagement tool was to create a new type of forum especially for people who wanted to change something in their community but were unsure of where to start.

May 4, 2011
Open Gov West in Portland: Conversations on people, technology and opening government

When it comes to learning more about applying technology in the work of governments, especially local governments planning and improving urban areas, there are a lot of topics to wade through — part of what makes the space so exciting, but also daunting when it comes to finding the people who care about the same thing that you do.

When it comes to learning more about applying technology in the work of governments, especially local governments planning and improving urban areas, there are a lot of topics to wade through — part of what makes the space so exciting, but also daunting when it comes to finding the people who care about the same thing that you do.

April 25, 2011
International Making Cities Livable Conference - Call for submissions

We all share a unique enthusiasm for urban planning and public involvement and love exploring innovative technology that enables us to combine these passions. LivableCities is in the midst of planning their 49th Annual International Making Cities Livable Conference, which will be held in late Spring 2012 in Portland, Oregon.

November 8, 2010
NCDD’s Resource Guide on Public Engagement

In a nod to the uncertain economy, the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) is taking their annual conference on the road this year by hosting budget-friendly one-day events in five different cities.  Trekking from Denver to San Francisco, Boston, Austin and Portland, they hope to engage each region in a conversation focusing on quality public engagement, online engagement, and collaborations that work.  

In a nod to the uncertain economy, the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) is taking their annual conference on the road this year by hosting budget-friendly one-day events in five different cities.  Trekking from Denver to San Francisco, Boston, Austin and Portland, they hope to engage each region in a conversation focusing on quality public engagement, online engagement, and collaborations that work.   

September 10, 2010
The Portland Plan

Portland, Oregon does nothing half-heartedly.  As is the case with the city’s newly spearheaded 25-year master plan.  In true Portland fashion, this master plan has dreams of grandeur; of a thriving and sustainable city where all citizens are prosperous, healthy and educated.

May 27, 2010
Community Assistance Through Crowdsourcing

If you are working with distressed neighborhoods but lack funding or expertise to tackle pressing issues, call on the SDAT, the Sustainable Design Assessment Team.  The SDAT is sponsored by the American Institute of Architects and each year they select communities in need, provide around $15,000 in funding and dispatch the SDAT team.  What exactly does the SDAT do?  They provide community assistance by, according to their mission, helping to develop a “vision and framework for a sustainable future” for communities by “achieving balance between cultural, environmental and economic systems”.