• About Us
  • Region
  • Newsroom
  • Get Involved

Public Participation

DVRPC has a long history of public participation and citizen involvement in regional and transportation planning initiatives, beginning in the 1970s, when federal mandates outlined the basics of public involvement in the regional decision-making process.

Public Participation is the process by which interested and affected individuals, organizations, agencies, and government entities are consulted and included in the decision-making process. Public Participation consists of three related, and often overlapping, processes: information dissemination, consultation, and participation.

Philosophy & Goals

DVRPC believes that effective public involvement is a dynamic and ongoing process that is essential to meeting the future transportation and land use needs of all residents of the Delaware Valley. Further, effective planning cannot be achieved without the consideration, cooperation, and consent of residents and stakeholders throughout the region.

DVRPC's public participation goals are to:

  • provide opportunity for interested parties to identify regional concerns and priorities;
  • encourage public participation opportunities in a wide and varied audience, including traditionally underserved groups;
  • publicize public participation opportunities and activities throughout the development of DVRPC plans and programs;
  • obtain meaningful public input and participation to inform the Commission's planning and decision-making process; and
  • inform and educate stakeholders and interested parties, share information, and increase the overall awareness of regional planning, land use, and transportation issues and activities in the Delaware Valley region.

DVRPC Public Participation Plan

In 2008, the DVRPC Board adopted an updated Public Participation Plan, which is designed as a resource for DVRPC's Board, staff, and the general public to better understand the Commission's overall public participation strategy and procedures, as well as the federal mandates that inform DVRPC's public participation efforts. The plan is available below in .pdf format; if you would like to receive a copy, please contact our public affairs office.