Journal (if Arcihitectural and PManning Rese.arch 18:2 (SunLmrier, 2001) L Io BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN TECHNICAL AND LOCAL KNOWLEDGE: TOOLS FOR PROMOTING COMMUNITY-BASED PLANNING AND DESIGN Kheir Al-Kodinany Planners and desig7ner-s have recently shoWn al renewed interest in communiity-based planning. Planning theorists hiave developed new paradligmns arguing tlhat they are n(ot techniical analysts but, instead, cofmmnuni cators who generate plans through give-and-take dialogues with tlhe public (Innes, 1998). This paper describe.s several visual communication tools -- including an image-based Geographic Inf/ormation System (GIS), an artist, a scale model, and paper maps -- thal were used during participatory planning in Chicago s Pilsen neighborhood. Building on the se7inal work oJ Kevin lynch in The Irnace of the City, the "expert" team at the University of Illinois constructed an imaige-based GIS that provided visualization of the neighborhood context. The GIS images also functioned as a starting point tor developing visions fior the neighborhood. The artist used these inages as a basis to develop sketches that graldually revealed participants' visions. The paper closes by evaluating the employedl visualiZation tools, discussing pros antd cons of using GIS, and suggesting ways to reduce communication gaps between design p7nfessionals anm conmnunity residents. Copyright © 2001. Locke Science Publishing ComITpany, Inc. Chicago, IL, USA All Rights Reserved