Planning Tool Exchange
Read March 29th Media Release
Join us on PlanIt X—the Planning Tool Exchange—an online platform designed to help a broad range of users (citizens, planners, scientists, elected officials, consultants and more) find, share and contribute information about decision-support tools, projects and resources in community planning and related fields.
The website serves as a community clearinghouse, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration by organizing information and resources supporting local and regional community planning and ecosystem-based management according to five linked themes:
- Tools - A blend of Comprehensive Processes, Activities, Software/Web Tools and Methods designed to help communities make smart growth decisions.
- Projects - Case Studies representing a wide range of geographic locations, community types, planning processes, tools and outcomes.
- Resources - Stand alone publications, toolkits, databases and other resources to assist in the community planning process.
- Organizations - Companies and organizations providing assistance with community planning, including consultation, resources and/or project management.
- Practitioners - Professionals offering a tool, service or resource to community planners, or who are willing to share experiences in community planning.
The non-profit organization PlaceMatters conceived of, developed and administers the Planning Tool Exchange. The website is currently in its first phase of development, during which PlaceMatters is creating three entry sites hosted by specific organizations (the Orton Family Foundation, the Ecosystem Based Management Tools Network, and Oregon State University). All three entry sites are open to any web users, but the three sites will use different interfaces and filtering systems to show those tools, projects, methods, organizations and practitioners identified as most relevant by the host organization. In the second phase of development, PlaceMatters will begin working with additional organizations that would like to create and host their own entry sites. Please contact jason@placematters.org to learn more.
We encourage you to explore, learn about the wide array of resources related to Heart & Soul Community Planning, create your own projects and tools, and add your comments today!