For a copy of our 20-minute video describing the charrette process contact jcotting@umd.edu The charrette process is a cost-effective way for communities of all sizes to address environmental goals and un-funded mandates. Many charrette participants have been faced with the challenge of identifying cost-effective and equitable financing solutions to environmental concerns that will not impede economic development in their community.

Adapted by the University of Maryland EFC for environmental finance problem solving, the charrette process employs an advisory panel of finance, planning and engineering experts, as well as Federal and state officials, who help local communities create solutions to their environmental management problems. The charrettes provide a forum for frank discussions between local officials and experts about financing, planning and management challenges experienced by communities in meeting environmental and quality-of-life demands.

Two-Way Communication

The charrette process also helps to fill an important gap identified by current scholars in the field of communications theory, who have argued that information providers, though well intended, often employ one-way "asymmetrical" communications strategies that do not allow for genuine exchanges of viewpoints and experiences. Without two-way "symmetrical" communication, many attempts to "supply information" to client audiences fail to result in observable results or prolonged active participation. Charrettes, like focus groups and other interactive venues, provide a very direct mechanism for ensuring meaningful, constructive and well-directed two-way communication, in this case between higher levels of government and local communities.

Charrettes Conducted

Since 1992 the EFC has conducted charrettes for 17 communities in Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.