Feb
29
Using Social Media to engage the public in your project
The use of web-based and mobile technologies that turn communications into interactive dialogue through vehicles such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are proving to be highly effective for community-based projects. The City Centre Community Centre in Richmond is a great example of how web-based platforms and social media can be used to involve the community in the public consultation process.
CEI set up a blog, which is readable in English and Mandarin, as a platform to post all the latest news and events about the project. The site also hosted a public survey where over 150 respondents shared information about their expectations for the new centre including amenities, design, programs and services. The site was promoted by CEI and the City of Richmond through various forms of advertising, including social media, to help drive traffic to the site.
Imaginative use of social media can be a powerful tool to get buy-in from your community on your upcoming project, addition or renovation. It can also help keep the energy and momentum of the project, ensuring public interest is maintained throughout each phase—from design development through construction and the grand opening.
Visit the Richmond City Centre blog at www.citycentrerichmond.ca.