Aligning Practice with Principle: Institutionalizing Equitable Public Engagement in Hampton Roads

Abstract

This plan assesses the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) and Transportation Planning Organization’s (HRTPO) current engagement processes through internal document reviews, national best-practice benchmarking, and key staff interviews. Among thee identified strengths of sound procedural compliance and deep staff commitment and agility, findings revealed three critical gaps: (1) limited decision-traceability, (2) inconsistent process evaluation, and (3) persistent constraints collectively impacting their geographic reach and efficacy of their Community Advisory Committee. To address these gaps, the study delivers the Community Engagement Compass—a five-dimension checklist (accessibility, quality, inclusivity, transparency, adaptability) that standardizes best principles such as equity metrics, real-time evaluations, and multi-stage follow-up protocols into every engagement process. Complemented by targeted recommendations to diversify the Community Advisory Committee, embed sub-regional engagement liaisons, and launch a centralized digital engagement platform, the Community Engagement Compass gives HRPDC/HRTPO a practical process framework for continuous, transparent, and accountable public involvement. By aligning practice with principle, this plan translates the commitments made in the organizations’ joint Public Engagement Plan (2024) into concrete, operational standards, positioning HRPDC/HRTPO as the region’s beacon for equitable engagement