Design Communication and Presentation Skills for Architects and Planners

What you'll learn

• Communication (e.g., clear, concise, and understandable; visual, written, and spoken concepts; relationship building, conducting meetings, media relations, appropriate language(s)) • Strategies and techniques to provide nondiscriminatory electronic media free of obstacles and/or barriers to accessibility. (e.g., provide equal access and opportunity for users with a disability through the use of assistive technology or keyboard-only access) • Listening, comprehension, and reflection of needs and ideas (e.g., accurate compilation and integration into the planning process) • Leadership (e.g., influencing decision-making in the public interest, strategic decision-making) • Social justice (e.g., interacting with and planning for and with diverse or underserved communities, including renters, social empowerment, and economic development) • Culturally appropriate and respectful communication sensitive to cultural history and social movements • The processes and techniques involved in working towards consensus for decision making • Understanding the role of organizational structures and functions (e.g., government agencies, non-profit entities, and for-profit businesses) • Outreach strategies and techniques for various communities, particularly those that best suit the engagement needs of the disenfranchised or marginalized community • Evaluation of how well the planned outreach strategy engaged targeted communities/populations (e.g., recognizing implicit bias, achieving optimal benefits) • Evidence-based argument formulation and articulation (e.g., use of research skills, use of factual data, identifying and examining the evidence, and critical thinking & reasoning to support a plan, program, policy, or action) • Sensitive or complex political situation management (e.g., practical understanding of the role of a planner and the role of elected officials, relationship building, and the role of the media, including social media) CO1. Communicate planning ideas effectively through clear written, visual, and verbal methods in professional and public settings. CO2. Apply inclusive and accessible digital communication practices to ensure equitable participation for persons with disabilities and diverse user groups. CO3. Analyze stakeholder needs and perspectives through active listening and integrate them into planning and decision-making processes. CO4. Demonstrate leadership and ethical judgment while navigating organizational structures, political environments, and public interest concerns. CO5. Design culturally sensitive and socially just outreach strategies to engage diverse, marginalized, and underserved communities. CO6. Evaluate planning proposals and engagement processes using evidence-based reasoning, critical thinking, and assessment of outreach effectiveness.