  Planning for RealBrief Description:Participants make a 3D model of their local area and add suggestions of the way they would like to see their community develop. They then prioritise these in groups and create an action plan for decision-makers to take away.
Description:Planning for Real events are famous for involving eye-catching three-dimensional models- though these are only a part of the whole process. Community members are involved from the beginning in deciding on a suitable venue and subject for the process. The model of a neighbourhood is often made by local people themselves in order to create a sense of ownership over the process. A number of events are run depending on the number and nature of the participants. Sometimes separate events are run for specific groups, such as young people. People go on to use their knowledge of living in the area to make suggestions by placing cards directly onto the model. There are both ready-made cards with common suggestions (around 300) and blank cards for participants to fill in themselves. These suggestions are then prioritised in small groups on a scale of Now, Soon, or Later. These resulting priority lists form the basis for an Action Plan that decision-makers are charged with taking away, considering and implementing. Delivering the Action Plan is easier if the community is involved in delivery, monitoring and evaluation. Used For:Planning for Real allows local people to engage hands-on with issues that affect them. Suitable participants:Local residents are the focus of a Planning for Real process. There is no upper limit to the number of participants that can be involved, as they do not have to attend at the same time or place. Cost:Depends largely on the number of events and the size of the venue required. A trained facilitator is also necessary. The eye-catching three-dimensional models are usually created by schools or local groups and aren't necessarily expensive. Time Requirements:Besides the meetings themselves you should plan to mobilise the interest of local participants. Following up on the Action Plan may take a few months to several years depending on what decisions come out of the process. Making the models may take a few months if local groups or schools are used.
When To Use / What It Can Deliver:You should use Planning for real when you want decisions to reflect local priorities, when you want to mobilise local support and where you want to create enthusiasm. Planning for real can deliver community input into local decision-making, and community decision making directly, inclusion of participants that are often left out in other circumstances, buy-in and enthusiasm and a shared vision for the future of an area. When Not To Use / What It Cannot Deliver:You should not use Planning for real when you do not have the buy in of important decision-makers or where you are short of time and/or staff. Planning for real cannot deliver the following:input to regional or national level decision-making, unless part of a wider strategy. Strengths:
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Origin:Local Planning/Community Development Case Studies:
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Restrictions In UsePlanning for Real is a trade mark of the Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation and may bot be used without their permission. Further InformationContact: |
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