Making public engagement a two-way street
Public engagement and consultation – they sound similar, but they serve different purposes. Consultation typically means asking for feedback on a plan that’s already taking shape. Engagement is about building relationships and shaping that plan together, from the ground up.
Over the years, engagement has often been treated as a tick-box exercise. Communities are ‘consulted’, but rarely invited to collaborate. Whether it’s planning a new development, shaping policy or managing environmental change, members of the public have too often been positioned as passive recipients of information, rather than active contributors.
In Scotland, especially in Town and Country Planning and Section 36 and 37 applications, developers must show they’ve done more than just inform – they’re expected to demonstrate meaningful consultation and show how public input has shaped their proposals.
But things are changing. More organisations now recognise that effective engagement isn’t about managing opposition – it’s about unlocking collaboration.
Rethinking ‘resistance’
When people push back against new developments, policies or projects, their concerns are often labelled as ‘resistance’. This framing suggests that opposition is a barrier to progress, rather than indicating there is an opportunity to make a change. People tend to resist when they feel excluded from processes that directly affect them. This is especially true when engagement seems more about appearances than genuinely and actively involving people in the process.
Too often, public meetings or consultations are disconnected from the communities they sit within. This erodes trust and breeds frustration. True engagement must be aligned with community needs, involving accessible communication and alternative methods of connection. This best-practice engagement exists when communities are given the power to shape the questions being asked and the solutions being considered.
Moving towards co-creation
Co-creation changes the dynamic. Instead of viewing engagement as a one-way communication channel, it creates a partnership built on mutual respect and shared purpose. It invites community members, stakeholders and experts to collaborate from the outset.
This approach recognises that communities possess invaluable lived experience, local knowledge and cultural insight that professionals alone cannot replicate. By integrating these perspectives early, projects become more inclusive, more sustainable and, ultimately, more successful. Co-creation is not about giving up authority. Instead, it’s about redistributing it in ways that generate better outcomes for everyone involved.
Co-creation in practice
Imagine a community workshop sparked by a local infrastructure project. Instead of presenting a finished plan, the organisers ask: What do you want your neighbourhood to look like in 20 years?
Residents are invited to visualise, map and share stories – expressing hopes, concerns and ideas. Designers and planners listen – not to defend a proposal but to understand what matters most. Together, they shape a shared vision that reflects the community’s identity.
The benefits of two-way communication
When consultation and engagement become a two-way street, everyone benefits. Institutions gain legitimacy and deeper insight into the real-world impact of their decisions. Communities feel heard, respected and empowered to contribute meaningfully.
This shift – from managing dissent to building together – transforms engagement. For developers, it leads to stronger, more valuable outcomes. For communities, it builds trust and a sense of ownership.
Conclusion
The future of public engagement lies in co-creation. It takes time, openness and a willingness to share power. But the payoff is clear: stronger relationships, more resilient communities and decisions that truly reflect the needs and values of the people they affect.
If you’d like to discuss how we can use co-creation for your project, please email Laura.Sutherland@CopperConsultancy.com.