Citizens and Project Design: Management Team

The presence of a swampy, largely undeveloped area near downtown Toledo, Ohio has had an adverse effect on the social and economic conditions in the surrounding neighborhoods. In 1971, plans were proposed for industrial development and multifamily housing units in the Buckeye Basin, together with a four-lane parkway through that area. Citizens reacted unfavorably to this development proposal. In 1972, they began to organize to promote their objective of recreational facilities. The parkway was generally recognized as an essential element of any plan. Citizen interest, which originated from a desire for recreational development, ultimately resulted in a management team for parkway design, in which citizen members are in the majority. Public officials and consultant representatives also are on the team. The management team is believed to be unique because of the early stage at which citizen participation developed and because of the important role which citizens play in planning and design decisions.