In this article, an applicable method for promoting public participation in urban planning and design at community level, using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is discussed. The infrastructure and tools needed for implementation of this idea without disturbing the present managerial conditions in Iranian cities are introduced and the practical means for citizen participation in planning and design are visualized. The theoretical framework here is mainly based on advocacy planning. It is argued that although citizens know more about their neighborhood’s needs than any city planner or manager, they are mostly unable to articulate them in a professional manner. On the other hand, the urban planning consultants have difficulty in understanding citizen concerns and in getting their ideas across to them. Advocate planners can fill the gulf between the citizens and the consultants by interpreting and promoting efficient and effective dialogue between the two sides. They can inform the citizens on the potential impacts of proposed plans for their neighborhoods in common language and relay the critiques or suggestions back to planners and city managers in professional manner. Therefore, the steps needed to coordinate the residents and the city managers in order to involve the members of a community in physical and spatial development of their neighborhoods are presented. Here, the existing relationships between interest groups in urban development plans in Iranian cities are examined and the weaknesses in the present system are identified. This is followed by a discussion on the necessary elements and structure needed for bringing about the said coordination. The main elements include the university infrastructure and instructors in urban planning and design, the NGOs which are active in this field, and a coordinating organization such as the Department of Social and Cultural Affairs within the Municipality of Tehran. The latter is considered as a public entity which safeguards the interests of citizens. Universities play their part by making spatial concepts clear enough to be understood fully by the citizens. On the other hand, they provide a setting in which students under supervision of their instructors can get involved in actual preparation of plans as part of their curricula. The coordinating center needs to be equipped with web sites in order to make communication easier between the other two elements. In the process, different neighborhoods are selected and each is divided into smaller areas. In each neighborhood, at least ten residents are selected as representatives. Public meetings are organized in order to identify neighborhood characteristics (limitations, strengths, etc.). In such meetings, residents’ concerns and suggestions are also reviewed. University students are selected to study and analyze neighborhoods’ problems. Hardware and software as well as high speed internet connections are provided in each sub-areas in neighborhoods. For each neighborhood, a web site is designed to present not only the minutes but the results of studies done by universities on the issues. Planning consultants and City managers view the sites and prepare plans compatible with the results. This process continues until consensus between citizens and city managers and officials is achieved and final plans are agreed upon. The results point to strengthening of urban management and inclusion of each neighborhood’s characteristics in urban planning and design.
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