A Geographic Information System (GIS) software program for mapping, measuring, and analyzing the storm water, summer energy savings, carbon storage and sequestration, air quality, and wildlife of urban ecosystems.
Visioning is a community engagement process that helps people to articulate or define the future they want for their communities. Visioning is often completed in conjunction with a master planning initiative and often looks decades ahead.
“CommunityViz is advanced yet easy-to-use GIS software designed to help people visualize, analyze, and communicate about important community planning decisions.”
The HeartSpots project, an interactive storytelling project created for the Heart & Soul project of Biddeford, Maine, allows citizens to record stories and memories through cell phones at many of their favorite locations on Main St.
Photography or video contests invite members of a community to submit photos on a certain topic, generally community character or special places, to collect different perspectives on how residents see the community's heart and soul.
Participatory Budgeting refers to involvement of the community in public budget planning and spending decisions. The degree of participation ranges from giving citizens a voice during budget development to actual approval power.
Electronic Town Meetings are community meetings that allow people to participate via digital technology. Whether virtual meetings with remote participants, or in-person meetings aided by technology, these meetings offer new ways of engaging people.
MindMixer is a “virtual town hall,” providing a forum for communities to share ideas, discuss, and create plans for the future. Without the time and place constraints, citizens can share ideas online, and leaders can gain input from their communities