Communities are organised entities that rely on and are, to a great extent, built on connections or relations between its members. Aaron helps communities clarify a shared vision and determine goals. Perhaps there is a vision in mind, but they don’t know how to achieve it. He will partner with organisations and address a complex problem quickly. This helps generate clear and innovative solutions to complex planning and design issues. Since all places are unique, our approach to community mapping is bespoke for the context of each particular project. We typically recommend a three-day public working session in the community to help vest interest locally. This is carried out through the following approach:

 

Stage One: Data Collection

 

The pre-workshop process begins with client communication, programme assessment and event planning. Aaron and a team of experts will work with the client to collect project data, develop an initial programme for the workshop and understand the project’s possible political impacts. We are then able to gather data using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to understand the physical make up of the area. This data becomes important during the workshop, but also in generating strategies to involve regulatory agencies and residents.

 

Stage Two: Public Workshop

 

Community mapping workshops usually take place over the course of three-days. Using the base data and maps created in Phase One, Aaron recommends that the first day of any workshop starts with tours of the local area and its surroundings to identify relevant constraints and opportunities. The key stakeholders should then provide our team with thorough briefings of available data, relevant policies and design parameters. The first evening may include a presentation, outlining initial observations and the upcoming week.

 

The second day is usually devoted to meetings with specially identified interest groups and agencies, to receive at the outset as much information as possible. Preliminary concepts are then discussed in smaller groups with key stakeholders - responding to early information. Periodic presentations are provided so members can respond. It is also recommend a mid-afternoon presentation is provided to the public - ensuring the feedback loop takes place.

 

The final morning of the workshop will end with a recap of the day prior and presentation of the key concepts derived to key stakeholders. The workshop will end with a formal presentation of a series of comprehensive plans and rendering outlining different development scenarios to the public. This is seen as a chance for feedback before the consultants edit and compile outcomes. Typically these final sessions occur in the evening, but we ask that local representatives guide the presentations, as they should be locally led.

 

Stage Three: Post-Workshop

 

The final workshop presentation is refined, edited and compiled into a community mapping report for review, involving additional feedback from the client and key stakeholders. This process requires a number of weeks. The final maps are expected to guide project implementation, serving as a foundation for the community’s vision and become a framework for planning approvals facing the area in the years to come. All data will be provided to the client in both digital and PDF format should any further revisions be needed.