The DC Office of Planning (OP) launched in July 2012, OP’s Citizen Planner initiative which engaged District residents in conversations to provide their feedback on questions such as:

• What do residents care about most when it comes to where they live?
• Are there ways that government agencies and private developers can improve on how they engage residents to discuss proposed projects and improvements?  
• How can DC residents get more involved in improving their neighborhoods?

The four focus groups brought together a cross-section of District residents who spoke openly and candidly about life in the District and in their neighborhoods. Focus group feedback was broad and varied, displaying an interest in topics such as movable furniture in public space, diversity of housing types, and  making community engagement fun.

On October 4th the Office of Planning will conduct the last Citizen Planner Forum which includes a panel discussion with four residents who participated in the focus groups; a presentation on new ways to engage the public in development projects; and an overview of new approaches to citizen engagement in building healthy neighborhoods. The AIA also will present its Citizen Architecture initiative to attendees.  

To register for the Citizen Planner Forum or for more information about OP’s Citizen Planner Initiative, please contact Deborah Crain-Kemp at (202) 442-7615 or [email protected].