DCA planners are trained facilitators with experience working with citizen planning boards, project steering committees, and community groups. Group facilitation is an important component of our work because projects are driven by the community. DCA planners also recognize the importance of community involvement, whether it is in the development of a comprehensive plan, adoption of a new zoning ordinance, or in the creation of small-area plans for downtowns and historic districts. DCA planners can lead a community through public meetings, design charrettes, and visioning workshops.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Wrightsville Beach Revitalization Charrette Master Plan: The Southeastern Regional Office lead a team that consisted of DCA planners, the City of Raleigh’s Urban Design Center Director, and the Small Town Main Street Program Coordinator, in partnership with the Town of Wrightsville Beach and local architects to coordinate a Revitalization Charrette for the town. Over 70 people participated each night of the four-day event to examine three commercial areas in the town and identify redevelopment opportunities for those sites. The charrette culminated with a final urban design and business development plan presented to the town in June 2005. The Revitalization Master Plan puts forth a vision of the future that is strongly supported by residents and leaders due to the high level of public involvement that shaped the plan. As a result of this successful public participation process, the town has started taking action on the key recommendations. The plan received statewide recognition and an honorable mention for Outstanding Planning for a Small Community at the 2006 North Carolina American Planning Association Conference.
Grahamtown Charrette: In July of 2006, staff from DCA’s Western Regional Office conducted a neighborhood revitalization charrette for the Grahamtown neighborhood in Forest City, NC. Throughout the three day event, over 80 people participated in a variety of charrette activities. Participants heard a presentation from the GTeam (the planning team) detailing the findings they discovered in preparation for the charrette. Residents responded to the information presented and voiced their dreams for housing improvements, increased recreation opportunities, a stronger supportive service network, and increased public safety. Other activities during the event included a neighborhood mapping project, feedback sessions, and stakeholder meetings with housing providers, elected officials, and public and social service providers. A design team compiled the community’s input and drafted drawings of the neighborhood’s ideas in order to illustrate the vision for the community.