Innovative Community Engagement: Digital and Map-Based Techniques - 1.25 PDH (LA CES/HSW)

Beth is a Principal at LandDesign. As an advocate for public and private investment in attainable green infrastructure, Beth believes the open space experience should begin the moment you step out the door, including networks of multi-modal streetscapes, neighborhood parks, and recreational amenities all within walking, biking, or scootering distance. Combining her background in sociology with landscape architecture, Beth strives to capture the spirit of a community and influence the vision of a memorable open space experience that aligns with local goals and values.

Marketta Kyttä, professor in Land use planning in Aalto University (Finland), has her background in environmental psychology and participatory planning. Her research covers various topics: child- and human-friendly environments, environments that promote wellbeing and health, urban lifestyles, perceived safety, and new methods for public participation. Currently, her multidisciplinary research team concentrates on the place-based person-environment research with public participation GIS methodology. The team has worked with numerous real life public participation projects in Finnish cities, including a large scale public participation project related to the Helsinki Master Plan process.

Academic background in urban planning, transportation studies and GIS is supplemented with unique experience of commercializing research results on digital community engagement within the information technology and services industry.

Analytical strength and innovative thinking around urban development and participation, with holistic perspective as well as an eye for detail. Track record of over 15 years of close cooperation with consultancies and cities in the design of community engagement processes, tools, and analyses.