Karres en brands m.fl.: Projektbeskrivelse - Køge Kyst

USER AND STAKEHOLDER INVOLVMENTAROUND THE TABLE!The citizens and different stakeholders of Køge seem to be highly involvedinto the future ambitions of the city and especially the Køge Kyst project.We would like to make use of this existing energy and interests within ourplanning process. For us the planning proposal for Køge Kyst should be builton the basis of an extensive cooperation between (leading) actors frombusiness, civic and public society, and thus must be based on both profitmaking,interest-provoking and vote-winning principles. It is crucial for thesuccess of the Køge Kyst development, how we invest in the process withthe different stakeholders.Essential in the process of public participation is ‘management of expectations’.It is about building bridges between people with different views,interests and emotions. Bridges between the existing and possible newcommunity. There are different levels of participation, from information,consultation, advice and co-decision, to citizens and civil experts advisingand co-deciding with local government. Most important is to communicatein a transparent way to the stakeholders, what kind of participation isexpected and which expectations are asked.The advantage of such a strong participation process is that it enhancesthe involvement of the stakeholders and enriches the planning processwith local expertise and interests. Sometimes it is seen as a risk that theparticipation focuses too much on these interests, while losing pace indecision making. Here comes the role of the urban planner who has toplay a key facilitation and mediation role. In this, he or she brings into thediscussion certain principles about planning and content and makes clearhow the input of stakeholders can be used in the plan. Also, if input is not(yet) applicable, the urban planner should explain for what reasons and towhat extent the input can be honored or not. The urban planner It demandsnew planning practices and competences, where consensus building is notthe starting point of a project, but should always be the result. We haveample experience in these processes. During the project, it is the role of ourteam to make different visions visible and organizing conflicts and creativediscussions, with the different design tools we have. We propose to installa Process Quality Group, with key stakeholders, which has the responsibilityto monitor the participation process by a set of criteria, like transparencyof the process, access of information, quality of listening to input andfeedback on input.Big ‘live’ events‘Live’ events will be organized which range from information evenings onspecial topics to cultural events (opening of a new building). Purpose is togive information, but also to get immediate and personal response fromstakeholders. Events can help to raise awareness, enhance involvementand talk informally about topics, getting more details and examples.Focus groups; around the table!In the end the best way to build bridges between people and enrich theconsultation, is to sit around a table and discuss specific topics, usingideas, flip-overs, sketch-roles, drawings, models, collages, animations etc.We have experience that this is the arena where we can really get insightin people’s thoughts, wishes and expectations. We invite everybody to joinon our new dialogue table in our new temporary boardroom with view tothe Køge Bay!CODECISIONCitizens decide themselves withinpreconditions set up by the municipalityCOPRODUCTIONLocal authorities and citizens make plans together,with possible input from expertsADVICECitizens can give advice on a project via a panel or group ofexperts, after which the municipality gives a reaction concerningcontent and indicates what to do with the advice.CONSULTATIONThe municipality organizes participation gatherings or makes a survey,and makes clear its consideration of interests and reason to do so.INFORMATIONCitizens receive an information letter from the municipality or they receive an invitationfor an informative gathering.Like our overall principle for the Koge Kyst area, ‘slow and local’, the dialoguestrategy should not be implemented top-down on the people of Køge,but should be a supplement to the existing dialogue process which hasbeen started, and originate from local ideas and initiatives. Our short-termgoal is to give people information and awareness about the project, ourmid-term goal is to co-decide on certain topics and the long-term objectiveis to create overall commitment to the project creating a social sustainablenew neighborhood. Successful stakeholders involvement is only possible ifthere is an permanent structure and organization available, which makesuse of different media and techniques. These techniques serve differentscales (small-big events), time-aspects (short-long term) and groups(interests); a mix of personal, physical and virtual involvement. We proposethree levels of participation:New media; from website to i-phone applicationsWe propose to launch a specific Køge Kyst website with information,forums and an interactive Køge Kyst Sim City tool. Purpose is to give informationabout Køge Kyst to inhabitants and stakeholders. But also, in aninteractive way, to generate ideas, discussion, awareness, comments, initiatives,reactions from inhabitants and groups, which will be discussed inmore specified focus-groups (see level 3) Other techniques could be a newapplication on your I-phone (Augmented reality), walking through the KøgeKyst area, seeing future buildings. Being able to see different scenarios andreact immediately.26