One of them there big questions

One of the biggest questions floating around Albany these days is how to actually create a truly inclusive planning process--not just in theory, but in results. The SDAT process did not succeed in this, as I've noted before. Participants were maybe 5 percent people of color at best, in a city that is over 1/3 people of color.

Nonetheless, I believe that the evidence is that the planning department wants to make it work and is receptive to suggestions: They did try to reach out to churches, as people often suggest; perhaps not in the right way or with enough time to build relationships and bring church leaders on board, but they did hear that suggestion. They chose a location that was accessible by bus, and listened when people said they should offer snacks at meetings. They employed several different methods of trying to get the information out.

So what I want to do in this space over the coming months, while the comp plan board is being selected and the SDAT report finalized, is try to generate a super-specific agenda/checklist for an inclusive Albany planning process. And, not to put too fine a point on it, I don't think what we need is to hear from more people like me on this. I want to hear from people of color and residents of the underrepresented neighborhoods:

Where should meetings be held? How should they be publicized? How should they be framed and carried out to make participants feel like they were worthwhile and talk up the others through word of mouth?  What language should or shouldn't be used to describe them? What amenities would make them accessible (like child care)? What evidence of good will could convince the disengaged to engage? What am I not even thinking of?

Comments

[Realist]

Skin color wasn't the defining characteristic of the attendees of the meeting. Home ownership was.

People who have a personal and financial stake in the city are more likely to be involved as they are stuck with the bills associated with ineffective government and failing schools.

If you really want a populist process. (Which you may not, as it is likely to degrade into a bitch-fest) You need to use more approachable vocabulary... throwing around acronyms like "SDAT" and obscure terminology like "charette" sounds elitist and intimidating to people with poor education backgrounds.

[Miriam Axel-Lute]

You make a good point about the homeownership divide. It does often make a difference, in neighborhood association participation too. I'd be curious though, to know if just the racial gap in homeownership would be enough to cause as stark a racial difference as we saw there.

Also, there is a whole set of active renters who do have a stake in the city and who do participate in certain venues. And frankly, if they're not obsessed with tax bills and property values, sometimes they can be more flexible and creative in what they're willing to talk about and consider. (I'm a homeowner, for what it's worth, and I know tax bills and property values are important. But sometimes they are used to stop conversation.)

A truly populist process can be a headache--I won't deny it. That's why I keep harping on structured, facilitated, focused meetings. Even people who can happily derail something into a good bitch fest can generally contribute meaningfully if asked the right questions and kept on topic.

Vocabulary: check. As observed previously, definitely on the list.

[Corruptant]

Ok, this is Albany, enough said. There will be no open discussion and grand king Jerry will say what goes where and his minions will follow him. Albany isn't like many other places, its not a populist city. Albany is ran like the former Soviet Union. All the shots are called from the top and those that fail to fall in line are excommunicated from the city. Our leaders are hacks through and through. Most peopl in positions of power in Albany are from the same political families that hijacked the city during the era of Dan O'connell. Nothing ever changes in Albany and it won't until people wise up and vote these people out of power. Maybe then, we might have our say. Until then be prepared for alot of BS and lies, because thats what Albany is about (well its also known as a city full of slums, cracktown USA, and a 16 year olds booze filled paradise). Welcome to Albany, make sure to tip the bartender and the politician because thats the only way you will get anything.

[Corruptant]

Ok, this is Albany, enough said. There will be no open discussion and grand king Jerry will say what goes where and his minions will follow him. Albany isn't like many other places, its not a populist city. Albany is ran like the former Soviet Union. All the shots are called from the top and those that fail to fall in line are excommunicated from the city. Our leaders are hacks through and through. Most peopl in positions of power in Albany are from the same political families that hijacked the city during the era of Dan O'connell. Nothing ever changes in Albany and it won't until people wise up and vote these people out of power. Maybe then, we might have our say. Until then be prepared for alot of BS and lies, because thats what Albany is about (well its also known as a city full of slums, cracktown USA, and a 16 year olds booze filled paradise). Welcome to Albany, make sure to tip the bartender and the politician because thats the only way you will get anything.