Smart Engagement in Small Cities

Exploring Minority Participation in Planning

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22018626
AutoresShakil bin Kashem (0000-0001-7333-4093, Kansas State University), Dora Gallo (Kansas State University)
Año2023
Volumen8
Número2
Fecha de publicación2023-04-24
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaUrban Planning (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2183-7635 • E-ISSN: 2183-7635
EditorialCogitatio (PUBLISHER • PT)
DOI10.17645/up.v8i2.6607
OpenAlexW4366826069
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas52

Smart engagement approaches are now widely applied in community planning processes. However, there continues to be a lack of representation from marginalized groups such as racial/ethnic minorities in planning processes. In this study, we explore what smart community engagement methods are being applied by small cities in the U.S., and how minority communities are participating in the planning process with those engagement methods. We analyzed planning documents and public engagement data from five small cities located in different regions of the U.S. with varying levels of minority populations. We evaluated the planning processes of the study cities, specifically comprehensive planning, and what smart community engagement tools they have applied. Our study shows that smart engagements are performed primarily through community surveys and online outreach initiatives. Despite adopting these approaches, most cities received lower participation from minority populations compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Cities with higher participation rates provided more engagement opportunities and conducted targeted community events and surveys to reach out to minority and low-income communities. From this study, we conclude that cities should apply varied methods for community engagement and should not rely solely on smart approaches to engage with minority communities. For cities to increase their overall civic participation, including those underrepresented, smart engagement approaches should be supported by targeted public events and outreach activities

Civic engagement · Community engagement · Ethnic group · Ethnically diverse · Outreach · Political science · Politics · Public engagement · Public participation · Public relations · Sociology · Youth engagement · E-Government and Public Services · Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development · Smart Cities and Technologies