Community Planning Overview

Principles

Definition

Community planning is a research field, academic concept, and methodological approach concerned with the processes, dynamics, and outcomes of collective action, decision-making, and resource allocation within defined communities. It encompasses the study and facilitation of participatory processes, strategic development, and intervention evaluation aimed at enhancing community well-being, equity, sustainability, and resilience through informed and collaborative approaches.

Ontological type

Core Methods

Participation Models

Equity and Inclusion

Key developments

Key Figures

Deliberative Participatory Shift era

Abraham Wandersman [1], with affiliations at Cornell University [3] and the University of South Carolina [4] during this era, contributed to deliberative planning scholarship. His key contribution, as reflected in Sense of community in the urban environment: A catalyst for participation and community development [6], was to articulate how a sense of community can catalyze participation and community development, a finding that underpinned participatory approaches to urban governance in this era. David M. Chavis [2], linked to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey [5], also contributed to this line of inquiry during the era. His work, as encapsulated in Sense of community in the urban environment [6], clarified how strong community ties foster participation and equitable decision-making in urban planning, reinforcing the era's emphasis on deliberative participatory processes.

Institutionalizing Participatory Methods era

Adrian Smith[1] is associated with the University of Southampton[3] and Queen Mary University of London[4] during this era. Adrian Smith[1] contributed to shaping Grassroots innovations for sustainable development: Towards a new research and policy agenda[6], a contribution that helped embed participatory planning within policy discussions and extend social learning in institutional practice. Gill Seyfang[2] is associated with the University of East Anglia[5] during this era. Gill Seyfang[2] co-authored Grassroots innovations for sustainable development: Towards a new research and policy agenda[6], advancing participatory research and community-based approaches that link local knowledge to policy and thus institutionalize participatory methods.

Co-Production and Digital Integration era

Patrick D. Nunn [1] is associated with The University of Queensland [3] and The University of Melbourne [4] during the Co-Production and Digital Integration era (2019-2023). His key contributions include assessing the paper An assessment of community-based adaptation initiatives in the Pacific Islands [6], illustrating how co-produced knowledge and participatory planning can enhance resilience and equity in island contexts. Karen E. McNamara [2] is associated with University of Maryland, Baltimore [5] and The University of Queensland [3] during the Co-Production and Digital Integration era. Her key contributions center on evaluating the paper An assessment of community-based adaptation initiatives in the Pacific Islands [6], informing locally grounded, climate-resilient planning that aligns with co-production and digital inclusion goals in this era.