The stakeholder engagement initiative was recognized with two prestigious awards: the American Planning Association (APA) Arizona Chapter’s Best Planning Excellence Award for the initiative’s innovative approach, and the ASU President’s Medal for Social Embeddedness. The collaborative effort brought new ideas and technical expertise to the project, ensuring that the final product was both user-friendly and impactful.
“This was an amazing use of technology,” said Mesa mayor John Giles. “When you hand a high school student some two-dimensional papers and say, ‘Hey, will you help us plan the city?,’ you can imagine the reaction you are going to get to that. Everybody in the room was engaged and paying attention and had feedback. I don’t know the last time I was in a room with 60 high school students where that was the case.”
The City of Mesa’s planning division has embraced the potential of spatial technology through its innovative use of ArcGIS tools. By developing the Experience Builder app for public engagement, designing transit-oriented developments with ArcGIS Urban and ArcGIS CityEngine, and enhancing public participation in the General Plan update, the city is setting a strong foundation for its future growth.
These initiatives are helping create a more sustainable, connected, and transparent planning process, ensuring that Mesa evolves in a way that benefits both its residents and the broader region. By using cutting-edge tools and collaborative efforts, the city is leading the way in a modern approach to urban planning, demonstrating how technology can transform both internal review processes and stakeholder engagement.
