Citizen Dialog Kit: digital surveys on the street
The Citizen Dialog toolkit allows you to question passers-by on any topic at well-chosen locations. We tested this invention from Research[x]Design KU Leuven for the new mobility plan in Zandhoven.
Conversations in places that matter
'Starting converstation at places that matter' is the promise of Citizen Dialog Kit, from Research[x]Design KU Leuven. With a simple press of the right button on the interactive image arm, people can answer questions about the local traffic situation. The underlying online dashboard gives the pollster daily insight into the response.
Tested in Zandhoven
At Mobiel 21, we are always looking for new and accessible ways to engage with citizens on mobility and liveability. We were immediately excited when Jorgos Coenen, the creator of the Citizen Dialog Kit, asked us if we wanted to test the toolkit. The evaluation of two pilot projects for a new mobility plan in Zandhoven, in collaboration with Suunta and Telraam, turned out to be the ideal test case.
The Citizen Dialog Kit arrived at two different locations: one in a residential area with a test set-up for a traffic filter and one in front of a school gate with test set-up for one-way traffic and a bicycle lane. Neighbours and passers-by were given 4 weeks to give their opinions via the Citizen Dialog Kit. This yielded a total of 406 responses, entered via the kit's interactive screen.
Direct feedback for the municipal administration
The survey through the Citizen Dialog Kit learned, among other things, that:
- residents in the vicinity of the traffic filter like living in their street, and for some this feeling was reinforced
- the majority (62%) feel that the traffic filter increases safety in the street
- 30% want to cycle more often thanks to the traffic filter
- in the school environment 50% (mainly local residents) do not think the intervention is a good idea.
The College of Aldermen received an overview of all the results from the survey. On this basis, the college decided on the continuation of the test set-ups: the traffic filter became permanent and the school environment got a new test set-up. Zandhoven residents received additional information about the results and the follow-up during an information market.
The Citizen Dialog Kit is an excellent way to ask people their opinion about their neighbourhood or street very locally, in the public space. But it involves a bit more than simply putting up a screen somewhere. Proper guidance and follow-up is essential.
Projectmedewerker Mobiel 21
Questions about the Citizen Dialog Kit?
Our colleague Sanne Vanderstraeten, who tested the kit herself, is happy to provide you with more information. Contact her using the form below.
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