Citizens are routinely invited to participate in public planning processes by city authorities like the City of Eindhoven. The aim is to allow citizens to react to urban development plans, public investment plans or policies. Most commonly, information evenings are organised, leaflets produced, 2D drawings or models exhibited. These tend not to be very accessible formats for the citizen.

New technologies could increase citizen participation in such planning processes, making them part of the decision-making process in more proactive ways. The goals would be to:

• Bridge the gap between local government and citizens
• Encourage citizens to take more responsibility for their environment
• Improve democratic legitimacy
• Reach specific or wider target groups
• 3D representation could allow citizens to understand urban processes better
• Input of citizens could be available to planning professionals

Eindhoven seeks solutions that can encourage participation by citizens in public planning processes.