Information Dissemination Tools

News Releases. News releases are typically one to three pages long and announce an upcoming event or issues being discussed. It sometimes shows up in a newspaper and/or is distributed through emails. 

Paid Advertisements. Paid advertisement is a way to make an announcement or present information to the public on radio, social media, television, and in newspapers. Advertising is often a legally required action, especially in high-circulation newspapers.

Mass Mailing. Mass mailing directly to a resident’s home is a way to reach the general public. An alternative is a newspaper insert or mass emailing, in which information is shared through email. There are often companies providing the service and having mailing lists to target certain audiences by zip codes. Government agencies may also hold this information from previous projects or initiatives. 

Media Interviews + Media Updates. Media interviews on television, radio, podcasts, newspaper articles, or other news outlets can share information with the public. The public can learn about the relevance of the project to their community and potential stakeholders can be brought into the planning process. 

Pop-up Exhibitions. Pop-up exhibitions are a tool to spread the word and generate interest and visibility for a specific project. Pop-ups are mobile hubs that draw stakeholders who would otherwise not attend formal public meetings. These could take place during established events, such as school events, festivals, farmer's markets, and neighborhood meetings. 

Briefings. Briefings provide updates on the progress being made in a project or announce an action about to be taken. Briefings can occur as a visit, a phone call, or a group meeting. The primary purpose is to keep stakeholders informed but sometimes also to collect feedback from stakeholders. 

Symposia. A symposium is an event that brings together experts, stakeholders, and community members to discuss and exchange ideas on a particular issue or topic related to urban planning. The purpose is to inform participants without asking attendees to take a position on the discussed topics. It often involves presentations, panel discussions, and a question-and-answer period. 

Presentations to Community Groups. Community group presentations communicate with a specific group of stakeholders. These presentations can occur in neighborhood meetings, business association meetings, homeowners' association meetings, faith-based group meetings, and special interest group meetings, such as women's rights, environmental, and social justice.

Newsletter. Newsletters inform the public about the status of projects and agencies. It is a regular publication to update the public on projects, emerging issues, plan implementation, and other related urban development topics. Newsletters can be distributed physically (hard copy) and digitally. It is advised that both forms of newsletters be used to reach out to a broader range of the population.