Key Concepts from Public Administration & Planning (Part II)

The Van Aken District redevelopment shows how community engagement and participatory planning can shape a project’s success.

Community engagement means involving residents in decisions about their city. Instead of only telling people what will happen, officials ask for input and work to include community ideas in plans and policies. In Shaker Heights, this included public meetings, workshops, and open houses where residents shared their hopes for Van Aken. Officials also used newsletters and forums to keep people updated and to build trust throughout the long process.

Participatory planning is a way for community members to help shape how their neighborhood or city is planned and built. It focuses on getting input from residents when making decisions about projects such as parks, streets, buildings, and public spaces. Residents don’t just give general feedback; they help design the project. For Van Aken, this happened in the 2016 connections plan workshops, where people used maps and activities to say where they wanted green spaces, bike paths, and public art. This helped planners, architects, and the developer understand what would make the district feel authentic to Shaker Heights.