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Planners for Networked Communities: Guide to Online Resources |
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Ellen M. Cowell, Charles P. Kindleberger and Ray Quay
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© & Author Info |
The following resources provide a good introduction to community networks.
Electronic Tour of Successful CINs
Take a tour of successful community networks from around the U.S. Your tour guides evaluate community networks on eleven different criteria ranging from authentic look & feel to ownership by the community. The tour also includes links to community networks around the world.
The Community Connector
The Community Connector is a Project of the University of Michigan School of Information Community Networking Initiative. This site includes best practices in community networking, an online journal, and much more. Check out their Reading Room section for more information on the community network field.
Community Network Resources
This page has links to organizations devoted to community network support, including the Association for Community Networking, the Center for Civic Networking, and the Morino Institute.
Community Networks: Bibliography and Resource Guide
A comprehensive list of resources on all aspects of community networks.
The Community Networking Movement
Doug Schuler, author of New Community Networks: Wired for Change, has developed this site to "provide information to strengthen the community network movement worldwide." (Quote from website)
Association for Community Networking
An association consisting of around 70 members of community networks. Board members Amy Borgstrom, Steve Snow, Richard Civil, Susan Myrland, and Steve Cisler are veterans in the movement.
@community.Missouri
An online magazine for community networks. Although some specific articles will target Missouri community networks, many others are useful to all.
Public Technology Inc.
This is a useful way to get to the web pages offered by communities across the country. Of course, to the extent that the community information network is run by a non-profit organization, rather than as a governmental function, the Links function may not be that helpful.
Follow these links to find resources tailored to planners dealing with community networks.
Online Planning Journal
The Online Planning Journal and the Online Planning website http://www.plannet.co.uk/olp/) "examines the impact which the Internet will have on the planning process by exploring issues relating to planning practice and land use. " (Quote from Cyburbia)
American Planning Association
Take a look at the On-line Planning Resources publication edited by Sanjay Jeer of APA's Research Division. There is some information on community networks, neighborhoods, and community development, as well as a lot of other planning topics. More than a year old, so it is already out of date, but Sanjay will be a good resource.
Cyburbia
A one stop shop for planning information on the Internet.
Neighborhoods Online
Neighborhoods Online is a good resource for neighborhood planning professionals to review. Libertynet, Philadelphia's community network, as a key partner in the project.
Project for Electronic Villages Project - Group One - Sonoma State University
Sponsired by Project Group One (GO) which is the first team organized under the aegis of the Hutchins Center at Sonoma State University. The mission of this working group is to develop and enhance local communication through the newest technological mediums. This site provides some general information about "Virtual Communities" and hosts conferences on the topic.
By virtue of their process skills and training in the planning process, planners bring important talents to the development of community networks. Often, networks are complex projects involving many community stakeholders, analysis of community resources and alternatives evaluation. Planners entering the early stages of community network development are able to assist networks in project development design, information synthesis, and facilitating organizational development.
Jefferson Online Information Network (JOIN-N)
An example of a community-initiated network that strives to support all kinds of community oriented groups. In addition to the web page, the JOIN-N engages in Internet training and public access site support.
MizzouNet: A sample CIN template
"A CIN model template. We have created a fictitious community information network know as MizzouNet. MizzouNet is a complete Web site designed to be used as an example for creating new CIN sites or revising existing ones. Look in the source code of the Home page and the About MizzouNet page for tips on constructing your site." (Missouri Express Resource Center)
Community Network Policies and Practices
Check out the policies/practices of successful CINs around the country. (Missouri Express Resource Center)
CIN Development: Missouri Express Resource Guides
Various guides to forming community networks exist on the web. In Missouri, the set of guides that was used to help create over thirty community networks exists at this site.
Non-Profit Center of Milwaukee
Mike Barndt has had a long interest in building information technology capacity for community based organizations. The Milwaukee Associates in Urban Development provides training and technical resources for a wide range of non-profits.
Planning departments are depositories for important community information. No controversy sparks more media interest than those surrounding land use issues. No community projects are complete without demographic information. No community network is complete without access to the varied information resources available from planning departments. Planners become one of many information providers feeding local content to community networks. Questions about appropriate information, levels of confidentiality, and technical processes have to be considered by planners using the community network for distribution of important information.
E-mail, community forums, discussion groups and other online interactive opportunities have significant potential to change the way planners engage the public. Community networks are ideal places to explore the potential for online citizen engagement in the planning process. Will it work? Or is local level citizen interaction still plagued by the "newness and unfamiliarity" of the online governance concept? These are important issues to discuss when planning departments, more so than many other units of government, could benefit from an involved citizenry.
US State and Local Gateway
This portal was put together in 1997 by a multi-agency team coordinated by Vice President Gore's National Performance Review. The Government Information Technology Services Board and the Department of Housing and Urban Development were involved. Unhappily some sections have not been actively maintained.
Hyper Interactive Planning Software
"HIPS is an on-line municipal planning system devoted exclusively to Canadian municipal planning information. The HIPS system converts municipal planning documents and maps to the point and click interactive language of the Internet, making municipal planning documents accessible to the public through home or business computers or at the municipal office front counter." (Quote from Cyburbia)
Planning Departments and Commissions Using the Web to Provide Information to Constituents
Excellent site providing a tour of how planners are using the internet to distribute information on the internet. Presented at the 1998 APA planning conference and maintained by the Planning Commissioners Journal on their Planner's Web site, by Dean L. Pierce, AICP, and Wayne M. Senville
State and Local Government on the Net
Another way to get to government locations on the web. This one provides a useful link to departments at the state level of government, as well elected officials and assorted boards and commissions.
Governments are Alive Online
Ray Quay has written an informative article on how governments are using the Internet.
Planners see the big picture. They see the need for information coordination and dissemination. Often planning departments set the standard for local community networks. Operating a community network out of the planning department involves questions of resource allocation, community control, and sustainability. Different geographic areas need to undertake a careful evaluation of the cost and benefits of this model.
St. Louis Community Information Network
An example of a government initiated network that strives to support neighborhood groups and community oriented non-profits, as well as city government. In addition to the web page, the St. Louis CIN engages in internet training, public access site support, and collaboration with other organizations that provide technology support for city residents.
The Center for Civic Networking
"The Center for Civic Networking (CCN) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to applying information infrastructure to the broad public good - particularly by putting information infrastructure to work within local communities to improve delivery of local government services, improve access to information that people need in order to function as informed citizens, broaden citizen participation in governance, and stimulate economic and community development" (Quote from CCN website)
The Foundation Center
This web site is a good place to start if you are serious about seeking a foundation grant for a community information network.
Central Arizona Electronic Village Coalition
An example of a cooperative effort among electronic communications providers and users in a local community to enhance how electronic communications can be used to help the community meet its quality of life goals.
Think about your own particular community and about the ways that the planning profession can utilize new technologies. Use the links below to spark your imagination.
Shaping Our Communities: The Impact of Information Technology
The Planning Commissioners Journal has prepared a resource guide to help us "think about the impacts that telecommunications and information technology will have on our communities." Sections C, D, and E are especially relevant to community networks. (Shaping Our Communities website)
Online Planners Forum
"The purpose of the Forum is to provide community and regional planners a chance to use theresources of the Internet and access planning-related information." (from site description)
The Internet, Conversational Communities, and the Future of Planning
Nelson Kellogg's presentation from the 1997 APA Conference in San Diego. "This is an interesting paper giving an historical perspective on how the Internet may change how planners communicate and convey information to the customers on specific planning issues." (Online Planner - see address above)
The Electronic Village: Impact of Electronic Communication Trends on the Form and Function of Local Communities
Electronic communications trends are changing the way we live, work, and play. These changes have global implications but the area of their greatest impact will be within our local physical communities. This article looks at what some of these changes will be and how they may impact how and why we plan physical communities.
Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program
A good source for learning more about the kinds of projects that the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration funds, including many in areas characterized by rural or urban poverty. The annual competition for funds ($17 million have been allocated in recent years with a matching requirement) is fierce.
The Aspen Institute
Offers a variety of institutes, seminars, research projects and publications as part of its Communications and Society initiatives. See a useful funding guide on their rural program's homepage.
The Benton Foundation
This foundation is concerned with the public interest aspects of communications policy. A good place to visit if you want to stay current with national telecommunications policy.
Paul Baker
Professor Baker is at George Mason University's Institute of Public Policy where he offers "The Virtual Metropolis, a field guide to the intersection of urban information networks, and geographic space."
Alliance for Converging Technologies
Don Tapscott is a well-known author on the impact of information technology on the economy and society.
Community Technology Center's Network (CTCNET)
An impressive source of information, literature and anecdotes relating to neighborhood oriented computer learning centers. Check out the CTC Review.
MIT Planning Department
Ann Beamish, Joseph Ferrera, William Mitchell, Bish Sanyal, and Mike Shiffer are among those who have focused on issues surrounding information technology and lower income communities. See a synopsis of High Technology and Low Income Communities and notes from a spring 1998 symposium on the subject http//web.mit/sap/www/cityit
The Center for Civic Networking (CCN)
A non-profit organization dedicated to putting information infrastructure to work within local communities to improve delivery of local government services, improve access to information, broaden citizen participation in governance, and stimulate economic and community development
The number of community information networks and city's with web pages is now enormous. Here are few sites of interest, under other resources are some more comprehensive lists of sites available on the net.
Alexandria
An impressive community based 501c3 that covers a wide variety of activities in Alexandria, Virginia, including upcoming planning commission meetings. The City of Alexandria <http://ci.alexandria.va.us> also has an effective page that includes a citizen oriented zoning digest and the zoning ordinance.
Blacksburg
A well known community network in a state that has a variety of telecommunication initiatives. The comprehensive plan is on-line, as is a variety of descriptive material about the rezoning, site planning, subdivision and appeal process, including dates of meetings.
Boulder
One of the old time services (celebrating their fifth anniversary) with a hugh number of volunteers to supplement the very small full time staff. The site is organized in terms of many centers, from Arts to Y2K Preparedness, and, as one would expect centers on topics like the environment are especially rich. The City's Renewal Authority has used the site for citizen comments on specific projects. There is a strong neighborhood section.
Charlotte's Web
An established and one of the oldest CIN, has regional page that has a massive amount of links and participants. Steve Snow has been very active in the Association for Community Networking. Offers a forum for people to express opinions, and lots of minutes and agendas. Charlotte's Web is separate from the City of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County page <http://www.ci.charlotte.nc.us> which contains a detailed list of planning projects and contacts, down loadable forms necessary to request a rezoning, the Year 2015 Plan, and an updated log of all rezoning petitions.
Indianapolis
An award winning page that includes GIS information on their applications, events, contacts, and 99 layers of information described on a Metadata page. See also the way they have displayed zoning maps at different scales <www.IndyGov.org/dmd/zoning/index.html>. This is a site where the Mayor has participated in Chat room sessions.
Milwaukee
Presents a description of planning division functions, a number of reports (typically requiring Acrobat to download and read), and a city map that serves as an interface to summaries of planning studies. Milwaukee has an on-line capability that many planners would love - the ability to get to individual parcel information, including ownership, as maintained by the Assessor's Office
Oakland
Best known for its MapRoom which is accessed off the front page and which supports dynamic maps (requires downloading a plug-in) as well as static maps, such as Farmers Markets and Community Gardens or Green Businesses. There is also easy access to the planning code, and permit function which encourages permits by fax for simple requests.
Phoenix At Your Fingertips
The City of Phoenix's WWW home page for their multi-technology information access system which includes, kiosks, public terminals, dial up, and touch tone messages. This site is notable because of its customer orientation as opposed to the organization of government and it effort to remain "low" technology to allow fast access at all connection speeds.
Portland Bureau of Planning
A good cross section of planning information including the comprehensive plan and a variety of district and neighborhood plans and guidelines which seem to be for sale rather than free. Quarter section maps allow a user to zoom into considerable detail in order to see zoning information in any part of the city. The city's home page <http://www.ci.portland.or.us> is on a different server.
Santa Monica
One of the earliest innovators, and still impressive. A great location if you enjoy reading planning commission minutes or want to contact a commission member on-line about ocean park preferential parking issues and the like. Overall a rich source of information.
Seattle Community Network
A free network run by lots of volunteers. Extensive forums, extensive links. Used to explain and receive feedback for various planning efforts. The City of Seattle runs a separate Public Access Network <www.pan.ci.seattle.wa.us> that is impressive. See the Property finder; Community Resources; and a good array of planning ordinances, documents and links.
STARTTEXT FortWorth Texas
One of the oldest "Electronic Villages" continuously online. Has Gone through many changes but still serves as the Electronic Village for Tarrant County (Fort Worth). Still part of the Fort Worth Star Telegram local newspaper http://www.star-telegram.com. Is a major host site for local non-profits, includes special local electronic columns (not found in paper) and sponsored local newsgroups.
St. Louis Community Information Network
An example of a government initiated network that strives to support neighborhood groups and community oriented non-profits, as well as city government. In addition to the web page, the St. Louis CIN engages in internet training, public access site support, and collaboration with other organizations that provide technology support for city residents.
Organization For Community Networks
The Organization For Community Networks is an Ohio non-profit corporation which has been established to be a central repository for information dealing with Free-Nets/Community Networks. This includes a well annotated list of community networks and freenets here in the United States http://ofcn.org/networks/By_State.txt.html
Andy Carvin
Mr. Carvin is the new media program coordinator for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), creator of Ed Web (created to explore Educational Reform and Information Technology), and an individual with considerable internet experience. His keynote speech at the 1998 Community Information Network conference <http://edweb.gsn.org/cinconference> in Missouri, may be interesting to those concerned with the big picture. CPB has links to some additional resources
Listing of Community Networks and Freenets by Peter Scott
Mr. Scott is a manager of computer systems at the University of Saskatchewan library, a musician, and keeper of an international directory of freenets and community information networks around the world. This is the most comprehensive list of community networks and freenets available to date.
A Tour of the Internet: A Dozen Key Sites for Citizen Planners
Part I of The Internet for Planning Commissioners Presentation APA Conference, April 7, 1998 by Dean L. Pierce, AICP, and Wayne M. Senville
Ellen M. Cowell, AICP, Community Development Specialist
Ellen Cowell is a Community Development Specialist with University Outreach and Extension. Headquartered in Jefferson County, Missouri, much of her work focuses on helping communities address change. Some of her program efforts include economic development training for small communities, leadership development program planning, land use and planning educational workshops, facilitation of group processes, and assisting in the planning and implementation of community information networks.
For the past two years, Ellen has served on the Missouri Express East Central Regional Assistance Team. In that position, she has helped identify resources that communities may use to help them develop community information networks. In Jefferson County, Ellen has worked closely with the Jefferson Online INformation Network (JOIN-N) to shape their community development planning process. Prior to her employment with University Outreach and Extension, she worked as a Transportation Planner for the East West Gateway Coordinating Council, the metropolitan planning organization for the St. Louis region.
Ellen has a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a BA in Economics and Urban Studies from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. She has also completed the Community Development Academy program offered by the University of Missouri and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. She also maintains professional memberships in the International Community Development Society and the American Planning Association.
Charles P. Kindleberger
City of St. Louis, MO
Ray Quay, Assistant Director of Planning
City of Phoenix, AZ