Method

Street Talk

InformOnboardingUnderstanding & Gathering PerspectivesAnalogueUp to 1 HourDirectly AffectedInterested PublicAs Many as PossibleSimpleStructured

Street Talk is a low-threshold participation method that takes place in public spaces. Project teams engage directly with people in locations such as market squares, pedestrian areas, or public transport stops. The aim is to gather opinions, experiences, and needs in an informal way while also providing information about ongoing projects and opportunities for participation. Street Talks are often organised around a mobile information stand that is open, visible, and inviting. This makes it possible to engage people who would not normally participate in traditional public meetings.

Goal

The goal of Street Talk is to engage people directly in their everyday environment and encourage informal conversations about local issues. The method collects experiences, needs, and opinions while providing information about projects and planned activities. At the same time, it increases the visibility of participation processes and can motivate people to become involved over the longer term.

When useful?

reaching a broad and diverse range of people
offering an accessible and informal participation opportunity
introducing larger participation processes
providing information directly on site
capturing spontaneous opinions, impressions, and public sentiment

When not useful?

lengthy or confidential conversations are required
complex topics require in-depth discussion
the location attracts very little public activity
there is insufficient staff available for direct engagement

Process

Begin by considering:

What information should be collected?
Which people should be reached?
Which topics should be discussed?

Also determine:

what information should be communicated
how the results will be used afterwards

Choose a location that offers:

high pedestrian traffic
a pleasant atmosphere
good visibility
sufficient space for conversations

Suitable locations include:

market squares
pedestrian streets
railway stations or public transport stops
neighbourhood centres
local events or weekly markets

The stand should be:

open and welcoming
highly visible
easy to understand

Helpful elements include:

large headings
short, concise texts
maps or images
seating for conversations

Important:

Plan for weather protection, such as shade or a canopy.

Develop short and easy-to-understand questions.

For example:

"How do you experience this place in your everyday life?"
"What works well here?"
"What could be improved?"
"What are your wishes for the future of this area?"

The conversations should remain flexible and leave room for spontaneous topics.

The team should be able to:

approach people openly and confidently
listen actively
explain information clearly
respond respectfully to criticism

It is helpful to clarify roles beforehand:

Who approaches passers-by?
Who documents the conversations?
How should difficult situations be handled?

mobile information stand or table
canopy or weather protection
flyers and information materials
posters or maps
clipboards and pens
questionnaires or maps (if required)
documentation materials

Position the stand in a clearly visible location.

Ensure that:

information is easy to read
materials are readily available
conversations can take place comfortably

An open and inviting layout encourages spontaneous interaction.

Approach passers-by in a friendly and informal way.

For example:

"Do you have a few minutes to share your opinion about this area?"
"We're collecting ideas for the future of the neighbourhood."
"How do you experience the traffic situation here?"

Important:

Avoid putting pressure on people. Many conversations begin naturally when the atmosphere feels open and welcoming.

Conversations usually last 10–20 minutes.

During these discussions, participants can:

share their experiences
identify challenges
express wishes and ideas
receive information about the project

The team should:

listen actively
communicate clearly
ask open follow-up questions
take different perspectives seriously

Helpful follow-up questions include:

"Could you describe that in more detail?"
"When does this issue occur most often?"
"What solution would you like to see?"

Use questionnaires or written notes to record participants' responses.

Document:

recurring themes
wishes and concerns
notable comments or ideas

If maps are used:

mark the locations mentioned directly on the map

Inform participants:

about the next steps in the project
about future participation opportunities
where additional information can be found

This helps encourage longer-term engagement.

Organise and analyse the collected responses according to themes, such as:

frequently mentioned problems
wishes and suggestions
conflicts
spatial patterns and priority locations

Prepare a clear and accessible summary of the conversations and key insights.

Useful documentation methods include:

photographs
maps
participant quotations
thematic clusters

The findings can:

inform planning processes
provide the basis for further participation activities
identify topics for workshops or public discussions

Source: https://mobilitaetsplanung-hessen.de/methodenkoffer-partizipative-planung/

Notes

Tips

Approach people in an open and friendly manner.
Short, clear questions are usually more effective than lengthy explanations.
Use visual materials to communicate topics quickly and clearly.
Plan for sufficient staff, as engaging in conversations and documenting responses simultaneously can be challenging.
The method works particularly well in places where people naturally spend time.

Not suitable for

lengthy or confidential conversations
complex decision-making processes
topics requiring intensive discussion or group work
quiet locations with little pedestrian traffic

Afterwards

Afterwards, methods that organise, deepen, or translate the gathered content into concrete steps are useful. Depending on the goal, the following formats can follow, for example:

Workshop

A workshop is a facilitated working session in which participants collaborate to explore a specific question, develop ideas, or create solutions. Depending on its purpose, a workshop can be used to share information, analyse problems, or develop concrete actions. Because all participants are actively involved, it is particularly well suited to the collaborative development of results.

CreativeActivating

Future Workshop

A Future Workshop is a participatory method in which participants collaboratively analyse problems, develop visions for the future, and translate them into concrete actions. The method combines creative thinking with practical planning and is particularly suitable for topics that require innovative ideas and long-term perspectives. A Future Workshop consists of three consecutive phases: the Critique Phase, the Vision Phase, and the Implementation Phase. This structured process encourages participants to move deliberately from identifying problems to imagining desirable futures and finally to developing realistic actions. The method often leads to creative, collaboratively developed solutions.

ActivatingCreative

Citizen Forum

A Citizen Forum is a participatory format that enables dialogue between residents, policymakers, public authorities, and other relevant stakeholders. Its purpose is to bring together diverse perspectives, discuss shared challenges, and collaboratively develop solutions. By combining face-to-face events with digital participation formats, a larger number of people can be involved over an extended period of time.

StructuredActivating