Technology for Mass Engagement

Hosted by: The AIA NY Social Science and Architecture Committee In Partnership with: PLASTARC

New technologies are reshaping how communities participate in decisions about the built environment, creating new opportunities to broaden who is engaged, how people contribute, and how public input informs planning and design.

This conversation will bring together leaders in civic technology, community engagement, and the built environment to explore the tools, platforms, and methodologies transforming public participation. From digital engagement platforms and participatory technologies to new approaches for collecting, interpreting, and acting on community feedback, panelists will examine how technology can strengthen the connection between communities and the decisions that shape their environments.

The discussion will consider the opportunities and challenges of technology-enabled civic participation, and what emerging models of mass engagement mean for architects, planners, policymakers, and the communities they serve.

Hear from the Innovators Ready for the OME:

• inCitu: Democratizing city planning by bringing urban development to life through spatial data and Augmented Reality (AR)—allowing residents to literally see the future of their neighborhoods.
• Convoca: Innovating at the intersection of civic tech and community organizing to mobilize the public and break down the traditional barriers to local agency.
• Urban Sense: Using technology and urban data to better understand how people experience and engage with cities, creating new opportunities to inform more responsive, people-centered planning and decision-making.
• PLASTARC: Leveraging social science and data-driven spatial strategy to design environments that inherently foster human connection and participatory experiences.

Event Details:

• Registration: Opening soon!

Stay Tuned: We are currently finalizing the details for this exciting tech refresh. Keep an eye on the AIA NY Social Science and Architecture Committee and register at AIA NY.

Why You Should Attend: As cities seek more meaningful ways to engage communities, technology is reshaping how residents participate in planning, policymaking, and the design of the built environment. This event brings together architects, urbanists, civic leaders, and technology innovators to explore the platforms, methods, and emerging practices driving this transformation.
Expect an evening of dynamic presentations highlighting civic technology, data driven engagement, and innovative approaches to gathering and acting on community input. Through case studies and discussion, speakers will examine how these tools can help create more inclusive, transparent, and responsive processes for shaping New York City's future.