GO TO 2040 is not CMAP's plan; it is the region's plan. CMAP recognizes that public participation is a key component of effective planning. It is essential that residents of the region have a voice in how the region's plans are formulated. Because of this, at key intersections throughout the development of GO TO 2040, CMAP reached out to residents of the region for input.
Integral to this process has been CMAP's Public Participation Plan. The Public Participation Plan sets forth three key components of public engagement:
- Outreach – the task of identifying and providing notice to participants across multiple demographic sectors;
- Engage – the task of informing, educating, listening and sharing in the planning process;
- Sustain – maintaining the relationships with residents to keep them interested in participating.
CMAP staff developed public participation activities that embraced these principals and used them as guidance throughout the planning process.
Public participation has been a consistent emphasis of GO TO 2040. At two points where input was especially needed, CMAP made a significant investment of resources and staff effort to engage the public at large. The first was for the development of the Regional Vision, and the second key phase of public engagement was for the development of the Preferred Regional Scenario. Finally, extensive public input shaped the draft GO TO 2040 plan before its final adoption on October 13, 2010.
The following briefly describes the purpose of each effort, and provides a link to access the published documents and all of the public comments and feedback CMAP received during each effort.