Planning for Real

Begin by considering:

• Which place or neighbourhood will be explored?
• Which questions or challenges should be addressed?
• Which types of change are realistically possible?

Important:

The scope for participation and influence should be communicated transparently from the outset.

Create a clear and easy-to-understand model of the area.

The model should:

• show key streets and buildings
• be easy to read and interpret
• provide sufficient space for participants to add ideas and annotations

Important:

The model does not need to be highly detailed or perfectly to scale. Its primary purpose is to serve as a shared working tool.

Before the process begins, it may be helpful to conduct:

• conversations with local residents
• neighbourhood surveys
• site visits
• initial idea-gathering activities

Neighbourhood skills surveys can also be used to identify:

• residents' skills
• interests
• local knowledge
• willingness to contribute to community projects

Decide:

• how many meetings will be held
• which target groups should participate
• where the events will take place

Important:

The venues should be easily accessible and welcoming.

Use a variety of communication channels, such as:

• neighbourhood networks
• community organisations and associations
• social media
• public notices
• local institutions

Most importantly:

People should understand that their ideas can genuinely influence future planning.

As part of the Detmold Design Week, the workshop "Shape Your Digital / Car-Free City" was organised. The workshop was inspired by the core principles of Planning for Real, particularly the collaborative use of physical models. Unlike the traditional method, however, the activity did not focus on improving an existing location. Instead, participants were invited to create their own vision of a future digital or car-free city.
The aim was to encourage visitors to express their ideas for a sustainable future city through spatial models and to stimulate creative discussions about urban development.

Participants created three-dimensional models of their ideal city using a variety of craft and model-making materials. Streets, buildings, green spaces, and other urban elements could be arranged, added, or modified freely. As participants worked together on the models, conversations naturally developed about aspirations, challenges, and possible solutions for public spaces.
The completed models were photographed and displayed in the exhibition area, allowing other visitors to explore the ideas and engage in discussions about the proposed visions.

Planning for Real makes spatial ideas visible and tangible. Working collaboratively with physical models enables people without planning or design expertise to communicate their ideas in an accessible way. The model serves as a shared point of reference, making discussions about future developments easier and more concrete.

Collaborative model-making encouraged participants to exchange different visions of a future city and made spatial ideas easy to understand. The public exhibition of the completed models attracted the attention of additional visitors and generated further conversations about urban development and mobility.
Working hands-on with the materials also made it easier for many participants to express, refine, and develop their ideas together.

Provide a wide variety of model-making materials in different shapes, sizes, and colours to support diverse ideas. The focus should remain on collaboratively developing and discussing concepts rather than creating a perfect model. Displaying the finished models in a prominent location increases visibility and encourages further discussion. A facilitator can support the process by asking follow-up questions and documenting the reasoning behind participants' design decisions.

At the beginning of the process, the facilitation team explains:

• the purpose of the method
• the overall process
• how to work with the 3D model
• the available opportunities for participation

Participants are then introduced to the model, the planning area, and the key questions together.

Participants contribute:

• wishes and aspirations
• challenges and concerns
• suggestions for improvement
• existing conflicts
• ideas for change

Helpful guiding questions include:

• "Which places work well?"
• "Where do you see problems?"
• "What is missing in the neighbourhood?"
• "What changes would you like to see?"

Ideas are recorded directly on or around the model.

Participants add:

• new ideas
• markers
• cards
• small model components
• symbols

This makes it easy to identify:

• where change is desired
• which places are particularly important
• where opportunities or conflicts exist

The model is presented during public meetings or community events.

Participants and visitors can:

• contribute additional ideas
• provide feedback
• discuss proposals
• introduce new perspectives

The method benefits greatly from involving as many people as possible.

Working in small groups or in plenary, participants discuss:

• Which proposals are most important?
• Which actions should be implemented first?
• Which ideas are realistic?

Possible prioritisation methods include:

• dot voting
• group discussions
• simple voting exercises

The highest-priority ideas are then:

• organised
• refined
• prioritised

and brought together in a shared action plan.

Document:

• the completed model
• discussion outcomes
• priorities
• proposals
• action plans

Useful documentation methods include:

• photographs
• written reports
• maps
• digital documentation

Bring the results together in a clear and accessible action plan.

It should show:

• which ideas were prioritised
• the planned next steps
• who is responsible for implementation

The completed action plan should be shared with:

• the public administration
• policymakers
• planning professionals
• all participants

Important:

Communicate transparently how the results will be taken forward after the participation process.

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