Participative methodology for public system planning

Public system planning requires greater participation by the public. But, the complexities of planning work strongly against public understanding and participation. New methodology is needed that can deal with complexity, yet be communicable to the public. Participative methodology has to be founded in graphics, for there is no other medium that can simultaneously involve many complex relations, while displaying these relations for effective scrutiny by a diverse audience.Several graphic methods are discussed, along with specific tools for graphic portrayal that have been designed with the communication requirements in mind. These tools lend themselves to computer manipulation and development, which helps establish a coupling between scientific and engineering approaches to problems and effective displays for public comprehension.