Community engagement
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
In the general sense, ‘community engagement’ is the act of communicating with a community, irrespective of whether the entity doing the communicating is an individual, a company or a government agency.
Specifically, in the construction industry, community engagement tends to relate to developers informing or consulting local communities about the impacts that they or society in general will see when a project undertaken. This is particularly important for large infrastructure projects of long duration about which the communities affected may have considerable interest. In these instances, getting out into the local community and talking and listening to the people is one of the most important things companies can do to build and maintain their reputations and ensure the project progresses smoothly.
[edit] Construction activities
By its very nature, construction is a disruptive process with potentially significant impacts on communities – if not handled correctly. Throughout the construction period, the local community may have to endure periods of noise and vibration, dust, mud and local congestion.
Community engagement should involve contractors and consultants (architects, engineers, surveyors, sub-contractors etc) engaging the community to ensure construction impacts are minimised.
This may be achieved by:
- Engagement – beginning, ideally, even before work starts on site. This may get the locals on board at an early stage, making the subsequent process a lot easier.
- Regularly communicating the progress of the project through newsletters, open meetings, site tours, notices and so on.
- Set-up ‘hands-on’ workshops for local people to provide better engagement.
- Set-up an exhibition that shows the project in full to help people see the ‘bigger’ picture.
- Providing opportunities for feedback though meetings etc.
- Provide an on-line presence in the form of a dedicated website to provide project information and regular updates.
- Spending in and supporting the local community.
- Employing people local to the project.
- Working with local schools and colleges e.g by giving talks, bringing students to site, providing work experience opportunities, etc
- Showing courtesy throughout.
[edit] Considerate contractors
The advent of corporate social responsibility has seen many contractors adopt a more enlightened approach to the communities in which they build. In the UK, this has been facilitated by the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) which aims to improve the image of the construction industry by striving to promote and achieve best practice. To achieve this, the CCS Code comprises five parts as follows:
- Care about appearance – ensuring sites appear professional and well managed;
- Respect the community – constructors to give utmost consideration to their impact on neighbours and the public;
- Protect the environment – constructors should protect and enhance the environment;
- Secure everyone’s safety – attain the highest levels of safety performance, and
- Value their workforce – providing a supportive and caring working environment.
[edit] LM3
Contractors may also adopt the principles of LM3 (the Local Multiplier 3) which is a simple way of measuring how their spending benefits the community. An on-line tool can be used for this purpose. The principle of LM3 is that the more money that is spent, the more income is generated for local people; it is therefore more likely they will have a greater appreciation of the project.
[edit] Consultation process
In some situations, local communities may consulted about the nature of the development itself. In this case, carefully managed community engagement can be vital to ensure all voices are heard and the best solutions are identified.
For more information see: Consultation process.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Community engagement in conservation.
- Community liaison officer.
- Consultation.
- Localism Act.
- National Planning Policy Framework.
- Neighbourhood planning.
- Non-statutory consultees.
- Planning objection.
- Statutory authorities.
- Stakeholder management.
- Stakeholder management: a quality perspective.
- Stakeholder map.
- Stakeholders.
- Statement of community involvement.
- Statutory planning notice.
- Third party dependancies.
- User panels.
- Walking interviews.
Featured articles and news
Designing sustainability and performance into buildings
Specifying and selecting sustainable resilient timber products.
Modifying wood to improve resistance to decay and movement.
A last minute, long look for built environment professionals.
The architecture of creative reuse. Book review.
Installing solar panels on listed structures.
Sustainable development global goals, history in progress?
"Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been."
Mike Kagioglou FCIOB named CIOB President
'Sustainable Development Goals must be focus for construction'
BSRIA training; a look at what's on offer
From energy management to compliance training.
TESP video warns to beware of rogue trainers.
Highlighting the slippery tactics of non-approved providers.
New Building Safety Wiki launched
Boosting awareness and understanding of the new fire safety regime.
New playbook on AI in construction published by CIOB
How to get to grips with, and the best from AI.
Digital Construction Report NBS
BIM, cloud, off-site, immersive tech, AI, twins and sustainability.
ECA learning zone and industry focus video series
From updates and amendments to circular economy, emergency lighting and much more.
The Building People Communities Network
Celebrating and amplifying voices of the under-represented, this refugee week and pride month.
Pride of Place: queer heritage
Acknowledging and taking pride in LGBTQ histories.