Expanding Public Participation in Planning Using Digital Tools

Local government planners are required to include a public participation component in their Growth Management Act (GMA) planning and frequently also seek input during other planning processes.

However, participants in these processes are often individuals who are already familiar with or connected to planning and community development. According to the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC), many standard engagement methods may not reach certain groups, including those that have been historically underrepresented in public planning efforts. In these cases, community concerns may go unaddressed, or planning outcomes may have unintended negative consequences for previously marginalized populations.

PSRC’s VISION 2050 encourages local governments to consider ways to engage historically underrepresented groups more directly. This blog outlines a few online tools available to planners, and some strategies Washington local governments have used to support broader participation in planning processes.

Best Practices for Developing Online Engagement Tools

PRSC and the Institute for Local Government offer several suggestions for creating engaging digital planning tools, including:

• Removing participation barriers, including language, accessibility, and digital access;
• Using a variety of tools — such as online surveys, virtual open houses, and interactive maps — to broaden participation;
• Ensuring digital engagement is supported with translation, accessibility features, and feedback options; and
• Providing feedback to participants and show how their input has shaped decisions.

To make the digital part of public engagement more inclusive, it needs to remove common barriers like language, internet access, and tech skills.

• Translation: Mountlake Terrace and Everett both plan to translate materials into key community languages like Spanish, Vietnamese, Amharic, Russian, and Korean. This helps people who don’t speak English well take part in digital surveys, read updates, and give input. (See Mountlake Terrace’s public participation plan and Everett’s public participation plan, both from 2023)
• Access to computers: Mountlake Terrace also suggests putting computers or tablets in public places like libraries and community centers, so people without devices or internet at home can still participate. (See Mountlake Terrace’s public participation plan).
• Mobile-friendly and easy to understand: The American Planning Association (APA) recommends making sure tools work well on phones and using plain language in documents. This helps people with lower digital access or literacy still understand content and take part in the discussion.

These steps make it easier for more people to get involved and have their voices heard.

Scenario & Simulation Tools

Urban design can influence how people navigate their environment, connect with others, and access public spaces. Digital tools — such as 3D modeling and evaluation software —allow planners and community members to visualize proposals, explore alternatives, and assess impacts before implementation. ArcGIS CityEngine and Esri’s Geodesign Tools are two examples of subscription-based programs planners might consider using.

ArcGIS CityEngine

ArcGIS CityEngine creates 3D visualizations of proposed developments, helping residents clearly see what new buildings or neighborhoods could look like. (Recommended by David Wasserman, chair of APA’s Technology Division).

For a taste of how it works, see ArcGIS StoryMap: Mapping Vancouver’s Future. This interactive tool helps residents understand change in Vancouver by combining maps, historical context, and community stories. It highlights shifts in zoning, housing, and neighborhood character over time — making complex planning data more relatable and accessible to the public.

Esri: Geodesign Tools

Esri: Geodesign Tools simulates the real-time impact of planning decisions to support collaboration between planners and community members.

For more ideas, see APA: 5 XR Technology Tools That Empower Planners to Connect Vision with Reality. This article looks at tools that can immerse a user in planned environments so individuals can experience potential changes firsthand.

Interactive Mapping Tools

Interactive maps support broader input and allow residents to highlight location-specific concerns. These tools can help address common barriers to public participation such as transportation challenges, scheduling conflicts, or language differences.

• Everett Map Gallery: Offers interactive maps on zoning, traffic volumes, parks, and planning projects to help the public explore and understand local development.
• Snohomish County Interactive Maps: Includes tools for viewing zoning, urban growth areas, natural hazards, infrastructure, stormwater systems, flood warnings, and stream health.
• Spokane Valley Valley Viewer: Allows users to access detailed parcel and zoning data, jurisdictional information, and local service areas.

Digital Engagement Platforms

Digital platforms can enhance participation by removing some logistical barriers common to in-person meetings. Mobile accessibility, multilingual interfaces, and support for assistive technologies allow participants to engage on their own time and from various locations.

Common features — such as online surveys, project timelines, and interactive maps — can make planning information accessible to more people. Some platforms also offer analytics tools that help planners monitor participation patterns and identify where further outreach may be needed.

• Let's Talk Mercer Island: Provides surveys, discussion forums, polls, and mapping tools to gather community feedback and increase participation in city projects.
• Engage Olympia: Offers interactive engagement opportunities like surveys, comment forums, and idea boards for projects currently active in the city.
• Engaging Bellevue: Provides information about city initiatives and allows users to share input.

Moving Toward More Inclusive Planning

Supporting broader participation in planning processes requires more inclusive engagement approaches that meet all community members where they are at, regardless of the neighborhood they inhabit. Tools like interactive maps and digital platforms can provide accessible opportunities for individuals to shape public projects. These tools and sample approaches can help planners gather more comprehensive community feedback and inform decisions that reflect a wider range of needs and perspectives.