INDIANAPOLIS — The Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) recently received two 2021 Hoosier Planning Awards from the American Planning Association’s Indiana Chapter. DMD received awards in the categories of “Best Practice” and “Outstanding Outreach and Communication” for Count Me INdy and the recently completed 25th & Monon Vision Plan.
Awarded Best Practice, Count Me INdy, was Indianapolis and Marion County’s Complete Count Campaign for the 2020 Census. Count Me INdy focused its attention on reaching historically under-counted populations through creative, engaging, and cost-effective approaches. Count Me INdy increased the percentage of self-responding households in the 2020 Census from 2010’s record high through its robust campaign.
DMD also took home the award for Outstanding Outreach and Communication for its recently completed 25th & Monon Vision Plan. DMD developed a community engagement strategy that mixed tried-and-true communication tactics with new and innovative ways for residents to engage, all while leveraging already established relationships within the neighborhood.
Neighbors close to the project sites, as well as adjacent Monon Trail users, were offered the opportunity to text-to-vote on what they would like to see most at the project sites. Participants’ zip codes were collected to determine where in Indianapolis they resided so that any distinguishable differences between the wants of the neighbors themselves and trail users just passing through could be noted.