Placetoplan
What is it?
Placetoplan is a web-based platform for inclusive citizen dialogue on places and urban design proposals that combines social media features with questionnaires.
Why is it useful?
To engage the public in planning by collecting their opinions on existing environments and proposals for change, via smart phone. This fosters transparency, inclusivity, and better-informed decisions in urban development.
Who should use it?
Planners and placemakers use the tool to involve the general public and local stakeholders. It is useful for municipalities, developers, schools, and associations that need input from residents or users of a space.
How to use it?
Placetoplan enables digital dialogues via interactive maps and questions. The process follows seven key steps:
1. Plan: Set goals, identify stakeholders, prepare content and questions.
2. Engage: Create accessible and appealing content using images, maps, and clear language.
3. Inform: Spread the word through websites, social media, local outreach, and physical signage.
4. Make Available: Ensure accessibility by offering multilingual support, physical help stations, and anonymity options.
5. Moderate: Monitor for inappropriate content using post-moderation and admin tools.
6. Analyse: Quantitatively and qualitatively assess responses by demographics, geography, and sentiment.
7. Reconnect: Share results through reports and feedback loops, maintaining transparency and trust.
Placetoplan can be integrated into workshops (e.g., Future Walks) or street interviews (Future Carpet) to include people with limited digital access. This tool is low-cost, fast to set up, and works on smartphones. A typical use case involves marking places on a map that users like or think need improvement, answering multiple-choice and free-text questions, and reviewing others’ responses.
The tool is available at www.placetoplan.com, works in four languages (English, French, German, Swedish), and requires only a smartphone with a web browser and internet connection. No app installation or training needed. It’s been tested in planning processes and appreciated for its ability to validate assumptions and visualise trade-offs in design.
Example of good practices
During the summer of 2023, Storgatan in Umeå underwent a temporary transformation to test a more multifunctional design. Spacescape was responsible for the design and used Placetoplan in two phases: early in the process to understand citizens’ needs and preferences, and later during the design phase to gather feedback on the proposed layout. This approach enabled active citizen participation in the transformation and helped anchor the project well in advance of implementation.
This tool was developed by Placetoplan AB and Spacescape.
Resources