Communications technology applications such as websites and e-mail play an increasingly important role in public involvement programs. Most significant projects that include public involvement offer at least a website and e-mail. Many also produce multimedia CDs and place interactive kiosks throughout communities. This proliferation of communications technology applications is creating new opportunities and new demands on the public involvement process. Although this technology enhances public access to projects, it also requires creative approaches for presenting information and documenting public comments. Public involvement and technology professionals must work together closely to ensure that communications technology applications create effective interaction between members of the public, projects, and clients and to ensure that technology enhances public involvement activities for the widest audience possible. Examples of current communications technology applications, guidelines that ensure that technology enhances public involvement activities, and processes that ensure online public involvement activities are effectively documented are presented, along with examples of client-side applications to ensure effective use of online input. Case studies that illustrate these principles and offer guidance concerning when and where technology can replace or supplement traditional public involvement approaches are presented.
Samenvatting