How can you incorporate public input in stormwater management design?

1 Benefits of public input

Public input can enhance the design process and the outcomes of stormwater management projects in several ways. First, it can help you understand the needs, preferences, values, and concerns of the people who live, work, or recreate in the project area, and tailor your design accordingly. Second, it can foster trust, collaboration, and support from the public, who can become your allies and advocates in implementing and maintaining the project. Third, it can increase the awareness and education of the public about the benefits and challenges of stormwater management, and encourage them to adopt more sustainable practices and behaviors.

2 Methods of public input

Obtaining public input for stormwater management design can vary depending on the scale, scope, and stage of the project. Surveys and questionnaires are a great way to gather quantitative and qualitative data from a large and diverse sample of people. Focus groups and workshops can generate in-depth and interactive discussions from a smaller group. Public meetings and hearings are beneficial for presenting project goals, objectives, alternatives, and impacts to the public and allowing them to comment. Site visits and tours give people the opportunity to observe, explore, or interact with the project site. Participatory design and co-creation involve the public in the actual design process and decision-making of the project. Tools, techniques, or games can be used to facilitate participation such as brainstorming, sketching, mapping, modeling, or voting.

4 Best practices of public input

To maximize the benefits of public input while overcoming the challenges, you need to follow best practices that can guide and improve your stormwater management design. Such practices include defining the purpose and scope of the public input, choosing the appropriate methods and tools, engaging the public early and often, analyzing and synthesizing the public input, and incorporating and evaluating it. You should clarify and communicate why you are seeking input, what methods or tools to use, how it will influence the design process, when to involve the public, and who you are seeking input from. It is also important to use a mix of methods and tools that can complement each other, as well as provide multiple opportunities for people to participate. Additionally, you should organize, interpret, and present the public input with quantitative and qualitative methods. Finally, you should demonstrate how the public input has influenced or improved design solutions while evaluating its effectiveness with indicators or criteria.

5 Examples of public input

To illustrate how public input can be incorporated in stormwater management design, there are several successful projects that have used public input in different ways and contexts. For example, Seattle's RainWise Program utilizes surveys, workshops, site visits, and incentives to engage homeowners and educate them about the benefits of installing rain gardens and cisterns. Additionally, the QueensWay project in Queens, New York is transforming an abandoned rail line into a linear park and greenway with stormwater management and urban ecology. Focus groups, public meetings, site tours, and participatory design involve the community members in the planning process. Finally, China's Sponge City Initiative is a national initiative that promotes urban areas with stormwater absorption capabilities. Public hearings, site visits, and co-creation are used to solicit input from residents, experts, and officials for the design and implementation of stormwater management projects.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?