The town of Biddeford in Maine has taken public participation in planning one step further with the incorporation of historical markers placed throughout the town, noting what makes the town unique. The project, entitled, “HeartSpots: Downtown’s Memory Lane” is a cooperative effort led by local government, a small business association, and the participatory planning organization, the Orton Foundation, is involving area residents in interesting ways.
As the article in the local Journal-Tribune notes: “Unlike other master plans which often are prepared by city officials, the emphasis of this project is to find out what residents want.”