Hi there! I’m so grateful you’re here…albeit not in these circumstances.
At the time of my posting this, the global Coronavirus pandemic is disrupting society throughout the world. When planning my launch of Hello Happy Design, I intentionally selected March 20th, the International Day of Happiness. As much as I try to look on the bright side of life, I’ve gotta admit that last Friday wasn’t that happy…
But as worrisome as these times are, I do see hope and opportunity. I see opportunities for us to learn how to stay connected through isolation. To consider and develop new tactics for engaging our communities through a lens of equity and accessibility. I see the evolution of the internet, as a place where people troll and shout on soap boxes to the tool it was intended to be: a global community that unites people and affects positive change.
As an urban planner and designer, I’m finding it hard to fathom the extent of this pandemic’s impact on our communities—both socially and physically. As businesses struggle to stay open, our Main Streets are threatened. As more people tele-commute, our transportation and dispersal patterns are evolving. Are these good or bad trends? It remains to be seen, certainly, but I’m not only hoping for the better outcomes, I’m working toward them.
Right now, engagement is my principle concern. How we stay engaged now will influence the outcomes as we emerge from this crisis.
With over 10 years of experience in planning and engaging communities, I have a few tools in my belt to keep people engaged that don’t rely on in-person interactions. From methods to keep community members informed (websites, social media, flyers and mailers) to tools for seeking input—such as online surveys, video conferencing, or live polling. All have their advantages and disadvantages. And still, there remain gaps in my (and our collective) engagement cache. I’m curious, what others might you add to this list of tools for remote facilitation?
In the coming weeks, I’ll be strengthening my digital facilitation and storytelling tactics, and I strongly encourage collaboration with designers, planners, community members, politicians—heck, anybody and everybody. If you have an idea for inclusive and equitable engagement during Covid-Times, I’d love to hear it!
Share your engagement idea using the form below!
Megan Oliver, AICP, is a Baltimore-based urban designer and planner employing human-centric and place-based strategies to grow happier communities.
All photos in this post are my own unless otherwise credited.