The growing importance of community based planning, as reflected in recent legislative requirements for public input and subsequent growth in literature is very indicative of the changing nature in the way we do planning. Similarly, corollary legislative leads in these shifts appear to be very strong. This research study reviews recent literature on public input to highlight design principles, supportive conditions for a community based planning approach and theoretical, practical and policy implications. Tri-Met TCL project is used as a case study. Pertinent findings from both the case study and literature review underscores the changing role of transit planners, including support of community livability and recognition of community uniqueness on one hand, and system comprehensiveness on the other.
Abstract