The Benefits of PlaceSpeak

For residents

PlaceSpeak provides residents with a chance to learn about, and speak their minds about issues that affect them locally. It provides a simple means of locating information regarding your neighbourhood, as well as large-scale issues that affect the entire city. It also provides a platform for residents to speak their mind regarding issues taking place in their neighbourhood.

By connecting their digital identity to the real world, PlaceSpeak transforms the way residents interact with “location-based issues” through facilitating conversations relative to proximity. It enables people to connect with the decision-makers of their city and provide feedback to local governments, property developers, and location-based corporations on issues happening in their neighbourhood.

For proponents

PlaceSpeak provides an online platform that enables and encourages inclusive, informed participation, policy and decision-making. Proponents are able to create an issue for something they wish to foster awareness or discussion of.  They can then connect and consult with residents within specifically defined areas to solicit feedback and seek authenticated support for their proposed projects.

PlaceSpeak proponents can be any organization that is seeking to engage with the public on issues that are linked to geographical location. We have identified four basic categories based on their use of conventional consultation methods:

1. Local governments: Includes cities, towns, villages, regional districts, unincorporated areas and tribal councils and the service areas within those organizations (e.g. engineering, planning, education, health & community services, emergency operations, police, fire).
2. Public and Regulated Agencies:  Includes—but is not limited to—agencies, federal and provincial government ministries and crown corporations, public/private partnerships with responsibilities in the public transit, universities and colleges, emergency services, health, transportation, utility, housing, and insurance sectors.
3. Private-Sector Firms: Includes development corporations and other professional members of the real estate sector involved in land use decisions that require public consultation, resource sector & infrastructure management.
4. Location-based Organizations: Includes private/public entities including rate-payer groups and community-based organizations.

For more information on PlaceSpeak, check out our white paper All About PlaceSpeak on Scribd.