Using an electronically supported, interactive "charrette" process to promote
citizen participation. (page 2 of 3)

Boulder, Colorado is a community with a long tradition of citizen activism related to planning issues. Rapid growth in North Boulder had triggered a building moratorium that pitted no-growth advocates against several local developers. The deadlock was broken when both parties agreed to participate in a comprehensive planning effort for the area. At the site of one main intersection, Dover, Kohl created computer images to show the impact of proposed signage, parking lots, and other elements of a conventional strip development. They also created an alternative approach with following the model of a "main street" with buildings coming up to the sidewalk and parking at the rear of buildings. Reportedly, the developer who had planned the strip development was furious, claiming that the imaging "poisoned the well" for future development of the site. When asked if the pictures were an accurate representation of what was planned for the site, the developer had to concede that they were.

The imaging process gave citizens an opportunity to assess the impact of several alternative development scenarios before they were constructed. Seeing options in advance helps citizens to channel growth into more desired physical forms rather than fueling NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) attitudes that oppose all growth.

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