'While each city presents a unique set of conditions, challenges, and opportunities, the issues they face are felt in many places around the world — from affordable housing, to ecosystem restoration and land management, urban mobility, and the regeneration of ageing infrastructure and neighbourhoods.'
We work with cities around the world who are interested in implementing new models for citizen engagement.
Specifically, we focus our work on the contextualisation and implementation of Citizens’ Assemblies in a systematic way to broaden and deepen citizen participation and deliberation in urban planning decision-making processes.
We tap into the knowledge and expertise of each city in order to adapt the general proposals outlined in DemocracyNext’s paper, Six ways to democratise city planning: Enabling thriving and healthy cities.
In the paper, we outline the different ways in which Citizens’ Assemblies are particularly relevant for cities and urban planning as they provide a platform for deeper engagement in addressing complex urban issues. By facilitating deliberation amongst a diverse and representative group of residents, assemblies enhance the legitimacy and accountability of decision-making processes, enabling informed decisions that reflect the needs and desires of the community. This approach not only leads to better quality visions, plans, and projects but also fosters a sense of ownership among citizens, making it easier to tackle tough challenges that require trade-offs. Ultimately, by investing in the establishment of permanent, ongoing Citizens’ Assemblies, cities can create resilient, inclusive, and vibrant urban environments that truly reflects the perspectives of their inhabitants.
In response to an initial open call in February 2024 for cities to work with us to implement the ideas outlined in the paper, we received over 20 application from cities in 17 countries around the world expressing their interest. After a rigorous interview process, we selected three cities. They expressed an enthusiasm and willingness to make systemic changes to how decisions about urban planning are made, with deliberative and sortition (lottery)-based approaches such as Citizens’ Assemblies as a key pillar of change.
In Autumn 2024, we will begin working with this cohort to build their knowledge of and capacity to implement Citizens' Assemblies. Drawing upon our Assembling an Assembly Guide, we’ll break down the steps of setting up a Citizens' Assembly into nine learning modules. Each module of the programme will cover a key part of the assembly process with examples from around the world and the specific design considerations for each step.
In late 2024/early 2025, we will work with each city to determine how a deliberative assembly can be contextually designed and embedded in each unique place to broaden and deepen citizen participation and deliberation in urban planning decision-making. At this point, DemNext will help each city consider which particular question or challenge the assembly will tackle.
In 2025, the three cities will implement their own Citizens' Assembly. Local practitioner organisations will deliver the assembly and facilitate deliberations. Academic institutions will closely follow the design and implementation process in order to conduct a full evaluation. Learnings from this experience will help determine the best way to institutionalise Citizens' Assemblies in each city.
Illustration at the top of page by: Adele Vivet
While we're working closely with this initial cohort of three cities until the end of 2025, we are still very much interested in hearing from other cities, civil society organisations, and urban developers who are keen to collaborate with DemocracyNext in the future. Below gives you an overview of how we work:
If you would like to discuss a possible collaboration with us, please contact our Cities Programme Lead, James MacDonald-Nelson at james@demnext.org. In the meantime, this document will give you a deeper understanding of how the Cities Programme is organised and how we work.
