Digital social innovation and civic participation: toward responsible and inclusive transport planning

This paper makes the case for Digital Social Innovation as a step toward democratic participation and engagement in the planning process. Information and communication technologies are increasingly playing a major part in mobilizing collective social and political action as a response to the outdated planning policies and practices. With transport infrastructures constrained by the unprecedented global impact of COVID-19, DSI can potentially become a defining element of the post-pandemic world. We use the case of transport planning in Auckland and analyse the role of a proactive advocacy group and its use of technical expertise to offer opinions through virtual shared platforms for public participation and empowerment. City Rail Link is discussed as a large-scale public transport project that received political and community support due to the efforts of digital social innovators.