GovLove Podcast #721: How Participatory Mapping Can Transform Your Community
Guest: Emma Falkenstein, Community Planner, Highland Planning
Host: Tony Thompson, Director of Strategy, NC Dept. of Health & Human Services
Release Date: March 27, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode centers on participatory mapping and, in particular, the use of walk audits as a transformational planning tool for communities. Guest Emma Falkenstein shares insights from her work at Highland Planning, a woman-owned planning firm focused on people-centered approaches in urban development. The conversation covers the philosophy, methods, and on-the-ground impacts of walk audits, using a Rochester, NY project as a case study. The episode offers practical steps for local governments and communities interested in leveraging this tool for engagement, data collection, and advocacy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Emma’s Background and People-Centered Planning
- (06:23) Emma details her journey from graduate studies at the London School of Economics to her current work at Highland Planning, emphasizing her interest in “how little pieces of a community fit together” and translating big-picture visions into actionable strategies.
- She describes herself as both a “community geographer” and a “community planner,” focused not just on technical aspects but on “how people and place fit together.”
“It's not all technical zoning codes and development processes, but really, how do people and place fit together?”
— Emma Falkenstein (07:43)
2. The Concept and Value of Walk Audits
- (09:17) Walk audits are participatory processes where individuals or groups systematically walk a designated area to observe, document, and map environmental conditions.
- Walk audits are highly customizable: they can focus on street safety, community assets, urban trees, public amenities, etc.
- The method bridges the gap between data-driven planning and the lived experiences of community members.
“A walk audit is when an individual or group decides to walk along a designated route to observe, document, and map pre-determined environmental conditions.”
— Emma (09:36)
3. Why Walking Changes Perspectives
- (11:10) Relying solely on driving obscures many lived realities—such as sidewalk conditions or crosswalk safety—that only emerge when experienced on foot.
- Walk audits help reveal “pinch points” and inequities that cars hide, supporting richer, more grounded community insights.
“That's the beauty of the walk audit—it’s a great way to facilitate that experience and get people to understand what is it like on the ground walking in your study area.”
— Emma (11:45)
4. Rochester Case Study: Monroe Avenue Walk Audit
- (13:05) Emma walks listeners through the formation of the Monroe Avenue Revitalization Coalition, a grassroots collaboration that brought together neighborhood associations, merchants, city officials, and Highland Planning.
- She personally became involved both as a resident and professional, reflecting Highland’s people-centered approach.
5. The Walk Audit Process—Step by Step
(15:08 – 21:45)
Emma breaks the walk audit process into three phases:
-
Preparation & Tool Development
- Define the goal of the audit (e.g., asset inventory).
- Identify the study area (block, corridor, or neighborhood scale).
- Decide what to map—Monroe Avenue’s audit included 11 asset groups (trees, benches, hydrants, vacant buildings, etc.).
- Choose a survey tool (paper, or digital like ArcGIS Survey123). Test and iterate with a core team.
-
Conducting the Walk Audit
- Engage all stakeholders before mapping—community buy-in is crucial.
- Recruit and train volunteers, plan routes, and assign roles.
- Facilitate accessible training—“It did not take an IT genius.”
- Walks last ~30 minutes to 2 hours, mapped assets via the app.
-
Action & Data Analysis
- Debrief with the community: what worked, what could improve?
- Analyze results: review 1,000+ data points for gaps, clustering, and trends.
- Showcase findings (used ArcGIS Story Map).
- Begin advocacy: use data for strategic planning and funding pitches.
6. Surprising Outcomes & Themes
- (23:49) Five key takeaways emerged:
- Community engagement soared—over 40 diverse volunteers participated, many with no prior planning experience.
- Immediate feedback through a user-friendly digital tool built participant confidence.
- The process democratized technical engagement and blurred boundaries between professionals and residents.
- Data revealed hidden trends: nearly every crosswalk needed repainting; public art was more prevalent than expected.
- Walking the corridor gave residents new empathy for pedestrian challenges (e.g., traffic speed, accessibility).
“The cool thing about the walk audit... is empowering community members to utilize the tools and techniques to be actively engaged in that planning process.”
— Emma (24:50)
7. Accessibility & Inclusive Practices
- (28:33) Intentional design of audit questions included ADA perspectives—for example, crosswalk timing, curb cuts, and “do you feel rushed?” prompts.
- Stakeholder diversity was actively sought at all stages.
8. Community Action—Immediate and Long-Term
- (33:41) Some volunteers took action on the spot—picking up litter, clearing branches, and more, demonstrating a rapid “ownership” effect tied to stewardship and pride.
9. From One-Off to Ongoing Practice
- (35:27) Walk audits are not just corrective but powerful proactive tools:
- Foster trust and collaboration between governments and residents.
- Move engagement “upstream”—not just at the end of decision-making.
- Create lasting partnerships and “face-to-face connections” alongside actionable data.
"The beauty of the walk audit is that it’s both a process and a product. ...It’s starting to build that relationship and create those face-to-face connections. And then on top of it, you get really great data to leverage for advocacy.”
— Emma (36:38)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Emma’s Professional Philosophy:
“Not being afraid to embrace change and making sure that we're open to experiencing new things and new ideas.” (04:56) - Transforming Fear Into Growth:
“Those little tingly feelings that you have typically mean that you're stepping out of your comfort zone and growing.” (04:36) - Community-Led Advocacy:
“It was a perfect combination of my personal interest and then professional technical expertise... just a really cool opportunity to get people involved.” (13:47) - On Hidden Assets:
“You may not see these things in your car, but there are thousands of different touch points...that might be invisible to you but impact how people experience a community.” (30:18)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 01:47: Emma’s inspirations and favorite planning books (“Happy City,” “Walkable City”)
- 06:23: Emma’s journey & professional values
- 09:17: What is a walk audit? Purpose and examples
- 11:10: Car-centric vs. pedestrian perspectives
- 13:05: The Rochester Monroe Avenue case study begins
- 15:08: Detailed walk audit process
- 21:45: Asset identification and envisioning future states
- 23:49: What surprised volunteers? Reflections & data insights
- 28:33: Including accessibility/diverse perspectives
- 31:57: Using data for advocacy; next steps for the coalition
- 33:41: Community ownership and stewardship during audits
- 35:27: Walk audits as proactive planning tools for local governments
- 37:57: How to learn more and connect with Emma/Highland Planning
Further Resources & How to Get Involved
- Visit highland-planning.com for project examples and walk audit resources.
- Find Emma Falkenstein on LinkedIn for networking and collaboration.
- Podcasts and books “Happy City” (Charles Montgomery), “Walkable City” (Jeff Speck) recommended as key resources.
Closing Moment
(38:52)
Emma’s chosen exit song: “Walk With Me” by Belle—a fitting coda for an episode all about engaging, listening, and transforming together, step by step.
This engaging GovLove episode illustrates how walk audits and participatory mapping make planning tangible, inclusive, and actionable—for both professionals and the communities they serve.