By David E. Christensen, AIA, LEED AP
Reprinted from (Land Development E-Digest)
![](\"http://events.zweigwhite.com/rsvp-event/images/blaine-wwt-charrette.jpg\") A charette creates an environment of collaboration and consensus to develop an approved land development program that will help quicken the design process and
gain faster approvals for entitlements. As an alternative to long-range city planning, this process can be used successfully for private projects to gain public and programming consensus.
![](\"http://events.zweigwhite.com/rsvp-event/images/christensen_charette.jpg\") The following tips share how facilitators can execute a great charette:
1) Create participant variety.
Include proponents, opponents, consultants, and regulatory officials.
Do not exceed more than 15 to 30 participants.
2) Do pre-charette research.
Determine hidden agendas and pre-conceived ideas. Know local history.
Provide participants with a homework list of issues.
3) Provide the facts.
Be prepared with important data regarding zoning, environmental issues, infrastructure,
traffic, the market, competition, demographics, et cetera. Present reference maps and supporting graphics on the walls.
4) Encourage comparative thinking.
Provide an audio/visual presentation of projects from around the country to get the creative juices flowing. Follow the show with images of the subject site.
5) Consider wild ideas.
Evaluate all ideas. No concept is too crazy. Go down the list of facts specific to the site, and put ideas in graphic form. Engage all participants for their point of view! Do this activity in the morning. The facilitator must be theatrical and knowledgeable — and good at sketching.
6) Work to the deadline.
Summarize the program that would include all points of view, and determine a solution that is the best compromise. Be an excellent listener.
7) Draw fast!
Facilitators and consultants create graphic design(s) for review by participants within one or, at most, two days. The masterplan should reflect and/or acknowledge all points of view, the “whys,” and “why nots.”
8) Present the solution.
Frame the design in terms of comments from all participants. Listen to valid criticism, and revise the plan on the spot with new ideas.
From my experience facilitating many design charettes, I have found that this process usually generates a plan that you didn’t know you wanted. Yet, there is typically almost 100 percent approval by all participants because it is their plan. Following the guidelines presented above will get your program on the fast track toward project completion.
David E. Christensen, AIA, LEED AP, is an architect and planner with Christensen Design Management, Bellingham, Wash. (www.charettes.com). He will present, “The Right Stuff: A Guide to Charette Design and Planning for Private Developments,” at the upcoming Land Development West Conference & Expo during Nov. 2-3 in Las Vegas. Christensen can be reached via e-mail at cdm@masterplanning.com.
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