Planning for Real

Summary

Planning for Real® is a community planning tool that has been around since the late 1970s. It enables local residents to be involved in planning for, and within, their own communities. It is an eye-catching, ‘hands on’ process which, by using a 3D model as a focus, enables local people to put forward suggestions to “show” how an area can be improved, or to highlight specific problems.

The process brings together two types of expertise – the “inside” expert, those who live and work in the area and who know it best, and the “outside” expert – local Council Officers, local agencies, other key stakeholders, who have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

During the consultation exercise, the 3D model is surrounded by ‘suggestion’ cards or flags with telling pictures and/or words printed on them as well as a good supply of blank cards for resident’s own ideas. In this way, residents are able to "show" on the model what their needs / concerns are.

Through follow-up workshops, residents sort and sift through all the ideas generated in order to identify their priorities using HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW charts and then – together with their “outside” experts – develop a realistic and achievable Action Plan.

People coming fresh to Planning for Real® expect the strongest personalities to dominate and that different factions will form and fight to the last. However, with this tool, compromise and consensus become easier, not least because everyone’s line of vision converges on the subject matter, the model, allowing for practical, non-threatening ways of communicating and practical, non-threatening ways of participating.