Bringing planning to the streets: using site-specific video as a method for participatory urban planning

Abstract

This article examines videographic planning visualizations and their potential to enrich the modes of communication and participation in urban planning. As a case study, the article introduces a research project conducted in the residential area of Pansio-Perno, in Turku, Finland, where a set of site-specific planning videos was made in collaboration with professional artists. A spatio-visual approach was employed to study the different sites for making the videos, including the sites of video production, the contents of the planning videos, and sites for video presentations. Residents were able to take part in the project by voting between different urban development alternatives with the help of on-site mobile technology. Presenting the results of the participation in public made the process more open, transparent, and visible to local people. Appealing planning visualizations, as well as easily accessible participation methods, are therefore proposed here as a means to improve the approachability and diversity of planning communication.