Scenario Planning for Comprehensive Regional Planning
This solution addresses lack of methods to package multiple planning responses in Metropolitan Chicago, USA for local communities
Problem Description
During the development of GO TO 2040, the long-range, comprehensive plan, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) used a vision-driven approach to scenario planning to build consensus around strategies to help the region achieve its goals. Three scenarios, each representing a suite of actions, policies, and investment priorities, were presented to the public for feedback during "Invent the Future," a public outreach campaign that took place in the summer of 2009. The purpose of the scenario evaluation process is not to select one single scenario that will be adopted in its entirety. Instead, it is meant to allow us to examine different potential paths that the region could take toward the realization of its vision. Ultimately, the most effective pieces from each of the scenarios will be chosen and combined into a single preferred scenario. Working proactively towards to future helps bolster the resilience of Metropolitan Chicago.Building Blocks
Story
CMAP used a scenario planning methodology to devise actions that will meet a range of potential futures. “Scenario planning is a promising method to help communities respond to challenges. It deals with a range of potential futures, whether for regional visioning, comprehensive planning, or project site planning, and provides decision makers, experts, and
t he public better and more comprehensible information on what these futures might mean for their communities…. Decision makers generally seek simplicity in the process of public policy development, but this is difficult to achieve in an environment of complexity, uncertainty, long-term planning horizons, and broad civic engagement. Over the last few decades scenario planning has emerged as a promising method to help decisions makers and the public respond to these challenges.”
- Opening Access to Scenario Planning Tools, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
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Solution Stage
One of the 7 stages of an innovation. Learn more
| STAGE | SPECIALIST SKILLS REQUIRED | EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES | RISK LEVEL AND HANDLING | FINANCE REQUIRED | KINDS OF EVIDENCE GENERATED | GOAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing and implementing5 | Strong leadership, management, implementation skills |
|
MEDIUM |
HIGH | A robust and detailed case developed through formal evaluation and evidence gathering – use of a control group to isolate impact | An implemented and sustainable innovation |