What is a geodiscussion?

A geo-discussion is an interactive online tool that allows participants to express their opinions, comment on planning proposals, share their own ideas, and engage in discussions directly on a map with other participants, public officials, and experts.

Unlike a geo-survey, a geodiscussion enables mutual interaction and open dialogue.

A geodiscussion not only helps collect opinions, but also allows you to:

• better understand arguments for and against specific solutions,
• address and clarify contentious issues (e.g. legal, environmental, or technical constraints),
• educate participants and build mutual understanding.

Our geodiscussion tool is called LopiTalk Like a classic geodiscussion, it combines a map with conversation and the ability to comment on and rate proposals. This makes it possible both to collect new ideas and to evaluate ready-made projects. (You can read more about LopiTalk’s features here.)

How does geodiscussion work?

• Adding comments on the map
  Participants can submit their comments, ideas, and needs directly on an interactive map — using points, lines, or areas.
• Rating and commenting on others’ contributions
  Users can express support or opposition (e.g. “support / do not support”) and add comments to existing proposals.
• Structured and moderated discussion
  Contributions are moderated and organised by topic, ensuring clarity and constructive dialogue.

Geodiscussion modes:

Closed mode – collecting feedback on ready-made proposals

This mode is designed to gather opinions on a specific project, site, or space. Participants discuss the proposed solutions, comment on them, and respond to other participants’ contributions. Evaluation can be carried out, for example, using a Likert scale (1–5) or through a “support / do not support” function.

👉 Ideal for: consultations on finalized or ready-made projects

Open mode – collecting proposals and co-creating concepts
This mode is used to collect ideas and jointly develop solutions. Participants can add their own proposals directly on the map in the form of points, lines, or areas, as well as comment on and rate the ideas of others. Open mode enables concept development based on the real needs and local knowledge of residents.

👉 Ideal for: developing planning or project concepts

Key benefits of using geo-discussions

• Broader community engagement
  More people and groups—including those with limited time or busy schedules—can actively take part in the discussion and share their views.
  
• Spatial context of contributions
  All comments are linked to specific locations on the map, making it easier to understand the real needs, challenges, and potential of a given area.
  
• Transparency and openness of the process
  The entire discussion is open and visible: participants can see arguments, counterarguments, ideas, and justifications shared by others.
  
• Easy analysis of collected data
  The platform makes it easy to identify topics that generate the most interest, support, or controversy.
  
• Education and building mutual understanding
  
  Residents are exposed to different perspectives, including those of local authorities, institutions, and experts. This supports dialogue and increases awareness of the spatial and planning context.

Where geo-discussions work best

Geo-discussions are effective wherever open dialogue about space and the co-creation of solutions are essential. They are particularly useful in public consultations; especially when an initial concept for the development of a given area already exists.

In the case of local spatial development plans, geo-discussions can support the public review stage of the draft plan by offering a more interactive and engaging form of dialogue.

Different geo-discussion modes serve different purposes:

Closed modeThe closed mode enables the collection of feedback on presented, ready-made projects and concepts. Participants can rate them, leave comments, and indicate which solutions they support. This mode is particularly suitable for consultations related to:

• local spatial development plans,

• studies of conditions and directions for spatial development,
  
• revitalisation programmes,

• transport and mobility systems,

• local investments (e.g. locations of street furniture, pedestrian amenities).

Open mode The open mode gives participants the freedom to submit their own ideas and concepts, locate them on the map, and jointly develop and discuss them. This mode works especially well at earlier stages of planning, when identifying needs, building a shared vision, and collecting a wide range of proposals from residents is crucial.

The choice of mode depends on the purpose of the consultation and the stage of the planning process.

Both modes effectively support spatial dialogue and enable transparent, interactive resident engagement.