Planning for Real

Planning for Real model built by local residents in Shadsworth, Blackburn, UK.

'Planning for Real'® is widely used throughout the world and especially the UK. Many people are attracted to it as a method due to its highly visual appearance and its ease of use. However, the method is not without its critics. Many feel it is too rigid, allows minimal discussion of issues amongst those people being consulted and that it can be misused. 

We have used Planning for Real on a number of occasions in the north of England.

ARC (Area Residents of Cicely), Blackburn, UK, 2001

ARC is a residents association for a small housing estate in the Audley Community Regeneration zone in Blackburn. The association identified the need to listen to the views of other residents of the estate and then to use this information to produce a Business plan for ARC. The process was led by the members of ARC themselves with support from us. Our aim was for the members of ARC to be able to claim afterwards that they had run a consultation exercise themselves. 

The consultation was centred around one event which due to the lack of a community building was held in a marquee in a car park. The event attracted 100 adults who laid 609 suggestion cards. A range of consultation techniques were used in addition to the Planning for Real ® model, including a video talk box for young people (in a caravan) and a ranking exercise. After the suggestion cards were analysed at a later 'Prioritisation event', ARC members went on to produce a business plan and to successfully implement one of the most popular suggestions, the setting up of a Garden Tool Bank.

For more information see the ARC Planning for Real 2001 Report. 

Shadsworth, Blackburn, UK, 2003

A number of Shadsworth residents that regularly use the Neighbourhood Centre felt there was a need to hear from residents what they would like to see happen in the area. With support from us and staff from the Neighbourhood centre, the team of 5 volunteers have built an 8' square model of their estate and in June and July 2003 are using it at various venues throughout the area. 

Shadsworth has approximately 3800 residents and organisers of the event need to tackle a high level of consultation apathy. In an effort to try and reach residents from all parts of the estate formal consultation events were held at the following venues:

Residents continue to use the model in the area.