North American planning systems rely heavily on public hearings when making decisions. These usually happen at the end of a review and decision-making process as a capstone prior to final approval, under the guise that a public hearing provides a useful touchpoint in public engagement and vehicle to make decisions. But all too often, public hearings increase costs and consume time without meaningfully impacting decisions. Uytae Lee of About Here digs into the history of the public hearing and its utility, and whether another paradigm is worth pursuing.
Stephen is a professional urban planner in Puget Sound with a passion for sustainable, livable, and diverse cities. He is especially interested in how policies, regulations, and programs can promote positive outcomes for communities. With stints in great cities like Bellingham and Cork, Stephen currently lives in Seattle. He primarily covers land use and transportation issues and has been with The Urbanist since 2014.