Tailored co-creation: getting everyone on board

Engage stakeholders smartly and thoughtfully

A strong participation process goes beyond legal obligations, a survey, or an information session. Our experts have extensive experience with participation across diverse domains such as spatial planning, mobility, energy, climate, water, and public space. Good examples include Gentspoort, the redevelopment of the R0 and the Oosterweel Link, as well as the redesign of village centres, such as the Markt in Gavere, and the Ring Parks in Antwerp.

Communication and dialogue from the outset

Large projects affect how people live, move, and spend their leisure time, and therefore require careful communication and participation – not only during construction, but also in the run-up to the project. Together with you, we determine how to involve stakeholders – from politicians and government bodies to businesses, civil society organisations, and citizens – at the right time and in the right way.

Participation serves both content-related and process-related goals. We gather local knowledge that enhances project quality, while also creating space for dialogue, understanding, and joint added value.

Context-specific participation methods

Depending on the context, we combine different approaches, such as digital surveys, information markets, (online) workshops, and co-creative sessions. How many participants are you expecting? Do you want to inform or co-create? Thanks to our internal knowledge-sharing and multidisciplinary teams, we know exactly which approach works best in your situation.

Less delay. More support.

A strong participation process gives you, as the client, a clear head start. You gain better insight into the views of your target groups, actively build support, and stimulate ownership. By engaging stakeholders early, you prevent objections and legal challenges, reduce the risk of delays, and increase the likelihood that plans are actually implemented.

Strategic participation as a solution

Projects are rarely linear processes nowadays. You work with multiple disciplines, policy levels, interest groups, and increasingly outspoken citizens. This makes the playing field complex and sensitive.

That is why a strategic approach to participation is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’, but a must. It all starts with clear communication and expectation management: we help you be transparent from the outset about the how, what, and why of the participation process.

Get the most out of a participation process

Sweco has long been a pioneer in organising participation and co-creation in urban development, infrastructure, and environmental issues. Thanks to our knowledge of local regulations, culture, and stakeholders, we are able to guide even the most complex processes. We make a difference by:

• fostering close collaboration between subject-matter experts and participation specialists,
• tailoring methods to your objectives and target audience,
• applying our knowledge of both informal and formal dynamics,
• and translating complex dossiers into clear language without losing substance.

Whether it concerns a small-scale local project or a large-scale infrastructure design, we ensure that everyone is included – and involved.

Related Expertises