PlaceSpeak is a location-based citizen engagement platform that is revolutionizing the public consultation process. The platform provides a space for the public to share ideas, comments and concerns on topics impacting them and their community in a way that generates defensible data. As an online engagement tool, PlaceSpeak addresses many of the challenges of both traditional and contemporary consultation methods.

Geo-verification: With PlaceSpeak’s unique geo-verification process, users must provide their address in order to participate. You can be confident that participants are real people, ensuring that the feedback gathered is reliable and defensible. You can also restrict participation within specific geographical boundaries on any single topic, allowing for engagement with directly affected citizens only. Feedback data is authenticated to place and geospatially segmented, and can be used to support evidence-based decision-making and public policy development.

Network Effect: Current online consultation tools engage with the public on an one-off basis. By using PlaceSpeak, you can continuously grow your base of civically-engaged citizens while receiving authentic and legitimate feedback from a targeted audience of verified participants. With each subsequent consultation, it becomes quicker and more cost-effective to reach and engage with a larger number of people.

Tools and Features: PlaceSpeak’s robust range of engagement features and tools encourage meaningful participation and generate reliable feedback through open and transparent dialogue. These tools can be used in combination to support the collection of qualitative and quantitative data to support your engagement goals. To provide more detailed insights, the data received is organized into various reports that can be analyzed to inform decision-making.

IAP2 Spectrum: PlaceSpeak subscribes to the IAP2’s Spectrum of Public Participation which seeks to promote and improve the practice of public participation in relation to individuals, governments, institutions, and other entities that affect the public interest. Its tools and features have been thoughtfully designed to align with the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation: Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate, Empower. As you move along the spectrum, the impact to the public increases.

This User Guide will answer most operational questions for the setup and management of consultation topic pages. By using PlaceSpeak, your organization is taking the first step towards creating inclusive, open and transparent public engagement opportunities for all participants.

If there are any further questions beyond the scope of the User Guide, please contact us directly at info@placespeak.com.

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