Moving to Online Planning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Assessment of Zoom and the Impact of ICT on Planning Boards’ Discussions

Abstract

This paper examines the shift to remote participation in planning board hearings during the outbreak of COVID-19. Using the results of an exploratory survey among 182 planners, public officials, and stakeholders, we explore perceptions about this transition, compare online and face-to-face engagements, and discuss the benefits and pitfalls of video-conference meetings. The findings indicate that video conferencing in planning merits future use, yet it also highlights key limitations of virtual meetings. Regardless of the findings here, the long-term effects of video conferencing and online decision-making remain to be seen.