People must have their say if we are to design better places

Hugh McCarthy: Transport professionals need to clearly communicate local project plans, in turn building trust, understanding and credibility with the community

Hugh McCarthy: Transport professionals need to clearly communicate local project plans, in turn building trust, understanding and credibility with the community

Social media and interactive websites are key to encouraging communities to participate in the consultation process, believes AECOM’s Hugh McCarthy

With the world becoming increasingly urbanised and people often living closer together, public engagement is more important than ever to transform streets and places and deliver the best outcomes for all.

While experienced transport specialists can design and implement effective active travel infrastructure, the process also requires community involvement to help ensure it will meet their needs. After all, it will be local people and businesses that use the cycle tracks, bus lanes and pedestrianised areas that designers create. 

The industry must, therefore, proactively seek the public’s view on new projects and share ideas so that everyone is empowered to make a change. This process takes place at the early stages of a scheme when changes can be more readily made. Transport specialists must listen to the public’s view on what they care about in their community and explore how to make those ideas a reality.

Conversely, communities need to be informed about the more technical aspects of a scheme such as legal, budgetary and design requirements. Transport professionals need to clearly communicate local project plans, in turn building trust, understanding and credibility with the community. It is also important to manage expectations and establish the limits of a proposed scheme early on. 

To encourage participation, transport professionals must continue to evaluate and improve the public consultation process. Making the process more accessible than traditional town hall events will require innovative ways to engage and communicate, including platforms such as social media and interactive websites. 

The transport industry wants to deliver schemes that benefit communities and contribute to their quality of life. Transport professionals will always want to hear the views of the local community on how a scheme is progressing and if it meets their needs. Otherwise, they’re designing in the dark.

At Transforming London’s Streets, AECOM and client partners will be discussing the complexities of transforming streets and places in London and Cambridge.

Hugh McCarthy is a senior consultant at AECOM