Abstract: More and more cities are choosing to implement a Regional Visioning Effort to help guide them into the future. Most efforts state community engagement and involvement as a major factor that they choose to focus on, but how much is the community really incorporated into this process? What methods are used to achieve public participation, what works? This study looked at the factors that regional visioning efforts are focusing on, if any, in terms of community involvement, with a focus on implementation, length of involvement, availability of information, and the degree to which they include these in their visioning efforts. This was done through qualitative research using archival analysis of three Regional Visioning Efforts and interviews with experts involved with these efforts. Through this process it was found that Regional Visioning efforts are claiming that they involve the community to a great extent, while there are some that go above and beyond, most involvement has a primary focus on planning meetings. The public isn’t provided with a variety of choices when it comes to participation and there needs to be an even greater focus on community involvement in the future. Regional Vision Plans help form a blueprint for our future communities… Three Regional Visioning efforts were examined. Interviews were held with a representative from each of the three examined plans. Regional Vision Plans help form a blueprint for our future communities… Three Regional Visioning efforts were examined. Interviews were held with a representative from each of the three examined plans. Help shape San Jose, CA going into 2040 by combining a regional vision with a general plan. Envision San Jose 2040 Extensive public engagement process to help shape Portland for the next 20 years. Vision PDX, Portland Helping to plan for sustainable prosperity. Chicago Go To 2040 Addresses Community Participation Implementation of Community suggested data Legality Addressed Community involvement throughout the entire process Community involved through a predetermined process Community got involved on their own Public informed of the efforts Public access to information Envision San Jose Portland Oregon’s Regional Visioning Plan Chicago 2040 Regional Planning Vision Findings: What is being done to engage the community? Findings: What is being done to engage the community? Main Methods Used Surveys Online Tools Public Meetings Selected plans rated on a scale from 1-5 Background: Stemming from The San Diego Foundation’s Our Greater San Diego Vision project this study looks into other regional visioning efforts around the country. Regional Visions are an important aspect of helping design our futures, and the people of a community should have the opportunity to have a say in their futures. Methods: Selected three regional visioning efforts from across the country to focus on. Evaluated these plans based on predetermined factors, and combined this data into a table (Table 1). Contacted and held interviews with a representative from each of the chosen regional visioning efforts to help gain even more insight into the community engagement process that was implemented in each vision. Methods: Selected three regional visioning efforts from across the country to focus on. Evaluated these plans based on predetermined factors, and combined this data into a table (Table 1). Contacted and held interviews with a representative from each of the chosen regional visioning efforts to help gain even more insight into the community engagement process that was implemented in each vision. Key Sources: Interviews Brilliot Michael. Senior Planner for Envision San Jose December 2, 2011 Aleman Erin. Principal Planner at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. January 9, 2012 Cohen Cassie. Portland Vision PDX Team member. January 23, 2012 Regional Vision Documents “City of San Jose Planning Division Envision San Jose 2040.” Web. 27 Jan e/ “Regional Vision -- Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.” Web. 27 Jan “Vision into Action.” Web. 27 Jan Majna Dukic Urban Studies and Planning University of California, San Diego Conclusion: The research suggests that the best method to engage communities in regional planning visions is to use a combination of public meetings, surveys, and online tools. Regions tend to depend on a single tool, like public meetings, to engage communities but they need to consider the potential negative effects or barriers that may arise from only using one type of engagement. Engagement is cited as a priority in many visions, including the three looked at in this project, and the process needs to be refined and considered from many different angles if we want the vision to be truly representative of the community’s wants and needs. Conclusion: The research suggests that the best method to engage communities in regional planning visions is to use a combination of public meetings, surveys, and online tools. Regions tend to depend on a single tool, like public meetings, to engage communities but they need to consider the potential negative effects or barriers that may arise from only using one type of engagement. Engagement is cited as a priority in many visions, including the three looked at in this project, and the process needs to be refined and considered from many different angles if we want the vision to be truly representative of the community’s wants and needs. “Communities should have a say in their futures ” - Public Meetings Pros: Gather large amount of people, allow people to engage with others and voice concerns in person. Cons:Time and availability barriers and diversity of people attending the meetings. Online Tools Pros:Potentially reach large amount of people, can make interactive tools to encourage participation. Cons: Access to the Internet, online tools, and reaching the intended audience can be challenges; these tools may not reach the entire community, especially those in lower income communities. Surveys Pros: Can span across a large geographic region. Can be open- ended questionnaires where people can do more than simply check a box. Cons: Timing is important, have to send out surveys early in order to get them back in time for the information to be useful for the project. Return or reply rates might be low if people are not thoroughly encouraged. Table 1: Summary of collected data from regional vision plans.