Tuesdays at APA — April 2009

Engaging the Public with Technology

April 7, 2009

The phrase Audience Response System (ARS) refers to an instant polling technology that allows participants to give feedback using wireless keypads. Outside of a few high profile projects, such as the World Trade Center site planning process, and a few high-profile firms, such as EDAW, ARS has received little mainstream attention in the planning and design fields.

Anthony Kobak from the City of Youngstown, Ohio, used case studies to explain the benefits of ARS for planning applications and gave participants an opportunity to interact with ARS equipment.

PowerPoint presentation (ppt)

PDF of PowerPoint presentation (pdf)

About the Speaker

Anthony Kobak was the project manager for the City of Youngstown, Ohio's award-winning comprehensive planning process, Youngstown 2010. The plan has garnered numerous awards and international media coverage for its public participation efforts and innovative approach to urban planning.

Youngstown 2010 was awarded the American Planning Association's 2007 National Planning Award for Public Outreach.