Commonplace
Commonplace
The UK's citizen engagement platform
What is Commonplace? ✨
Commonplace is this cool digital hangout where you get to chime in on what's happening around your neighborhood, like new parks or buildings. It's like having a say in your community's future without having to leave your couch.
What Commonplace can be used for? ✨
Commonplace can be used for a variety of community engagement and urban planning scenarios. In each case, Commonplace serves as a bridge between decision-makers and the public, ensuring that community voices are heard and considered in the shaping of their living environment. Here are some examples:
Local Development Consultations
When a new housing project or commercial development is proposed, Commonplace can collect local residents' views and concerns, ensuring that developers and planners understand community sentiment.
Transport Infrastructure Projects
For proposed changes to roads, bike lanes, or public transport, the platform can gather feedback on what improvements or additions the public would like to see, helping to shape more effective transport policies.
Environmental Initiatives
If a city is considering a new park, green space, or sustainability project, Commonplace can engage citizens in the planning process, allowing them to suggest ideas and express their support or reservations.
Policy Formulation
Governments can use it to gauge public opinion on policy changes, such as recycling programs or local taxes, ensuring that policies reflect the community's priorities and values.
Public Safety Concerns
Authorities can use Commonplace to communicate with residents about safety issues and gather their input on how to make neighborhoods safer.
Urban Renewal Projects
In areas undergoing regeneration, it can be a tool for residents to share their ideas and visions for the future of their community, helping to guide the renewal process in a direction that benefits everyone.
Public Health Campaigns
Health authorities can use Commonplace to educate the public on health initiatives, gather data on community health concerns, and promote healthier lifestyles.
Cultural Heritage Projects
For the preservation of historical sites or the introduction of cultural events, the platform can gather input and foster a sense of ownership and pride among residents.
Local Business Support
Economic development agencies can engage with citizens about how to support local businesses, encouraging community-led strategies for economic growth.
Recreational Facility Feedback
Park departments can use the platform to receive suggestions and comments on recreational facilities, helping to prioritize renovations and new construction.
Features ✨
Interactive maps (with shapes / polygons, informational layers, focal points, boundaries)
Public surveys
News posts/notifications
Knowledge base
Community insights
Email campaigns
Engagement Hub (website for community)
Custom branding
Project timelines
Real-time live webinars
Mobile-first approach
Voice & visual capture
Image upload
What are the limitations? ✨
- For local authorities or organizations, the cost of using and maintaining the platform can be a limitation, especially for smaller or resource-constrained entities.
- Effectively reaching a broad audience to inform them about the platform and encourage participation can be challenging.
- Some community issues are complex and can't be fully captured through an online platform, requiring more in-depth discussion and deliberation that may be better suited for face-to-face interactions.
- The platform needs to ensure fair moderation to prevent the spread of misinformation or the dominance of certain voices, which can introduce bias into the engagement process.
- Not all community members may have access to or be comfortable with using digital tools, potentially excluding certain demographics, especially the elderly, lower-income, or less tech-savvy individuals.
Languages ✨
- Multilingual