The broader social network of community planning: a diagnostic tool for communities to assess their planning capacity

This research examined the relationship between social networks of a community and its planning capacity. Nine common patterns (traits) of effective planning efforts were identified and aligned with social network methods. This provided the framework from which to develop a tool determining the ability of a community to implement planning efforts, regardless of which planning approach it is utilizing. Between 2007 and 2009, the diagnostic tool was administered through a case study. The case study employed a snowball survey and key informant interviews that explored informal and formal communication patterns of a community’s planning capacity. Based upon that research, a model was developed to formatively assess the ability of any community to implement plans and planning activities. In doing so, it is hoped community leaders and planning professionals may more effectively understand the full communicative dynamics at work in their local planning implementation efforts. In that way locals may be able to better engage, be empowered to plan in a more comprehensive manner, and potentially be more successful in resolving their communities’ challenges. The diagnostic model tool is called the “Engaged Planning Communities Diagnostic Tool.”

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Regional Planning

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Borich, Genevieve

Contributors dc:contributor

• Talen, Emily
• Anselin, Luc
• Contractor, Noshir S.
• Nedović-Budić, Zorica

• social network
• community planning evaluation

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2011 Genevieve Borich

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/29720

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/29720