Public engagement has long been a critical part of the planning and design process. Often, it is through the dialogue facilitated at public meetings that the best ideas are generated, diverse perspectives are shared, clarification received, minds changed and project buy-in is achieved. For over a decade, planners have incorporated online communications and tools as technology has advanced – virtual meetings, online surveys, virtual tours, etc. – but most often these are done in conjunction with face-to-face engagement. What happens in today’s current COVID-19 climate when social distancing is a paradigm shift and face-to-face meetings are not possible for an indefinite amount of time? As planners, it is our job to re-define processes for plan development, achieving the goals for public input without losing the quality of public discourse and benefits of collaboration.
