The internet’s impact on urban planning

The internet is a powerful tool for community engagement and discussion around urban planning and development issues.

There have been Facebook groups popping up over the last year or two addressing urban planning issues around Saint John.  Two deal with the proposed 51 unit non-elderly singles subsidized building called Tannery Court – one concerned about the project, another supporting the developer.  At least one other blogger, and a podcast that have also addressed this development.

Another FB group recently started supporting a new cultural use for the former Paramount movie theatre on King Square.

Last year a group called North of Union historic buildings in Saint John NB: Landmarks not Landfill! was used to oppose the demolition of the buildings at North of Union that were (and in some cases still are) in the Peel Plaza development area.

Saint John citizens are not unique in using the internet and Web 2.0 technologies in attempting engage in development issues.  I’ve been reading a few websites and postings about how planners and municipal officials can use internet tools to effectively engage the internet-using population in development discussions, as a complement to the more traditional community consultation process.

Web 2.0 for Urban Development discusses the use of the internet as a feedback mechanism; How Can Planners Use the Web? discusses techniques and challenges of using the internet; What’s Needed: Community Vacant Property Database discusses the creation of databases of problem properties; and  Web 2.0 Technologies for Planning offers practical tips on using Facebook, blogs and other tools in the planning process.

The community has embraced the internet as a grassroots tool for expressing opinions on development. With a new forward-thinking head of planning at City Hall in Saint John perhaps we can expect to see some of these technologies being used to reach out to the community asking for input.  Maybe then, groups of annoyed citizens won’t be the main Saint John planning related groups on Facebook.