Embedding Equity into Stakeholder Engagement Processes

Common Spark Consulting was brought into a state building codes and standards update process to assess opportunities to expand equity within their Public Engagement Plan and outreach. Drawing from an Environmental and Social Justice Appendix, the Public Engagement Plan examined all the touchpoints in the codes and standards development process and assessed the breadth of stakeholder perspectives involved in the three-year cycle development of the building-code. This included topical technical teams, call operators, project managers, and project partners. Common Spark’s work informed considerations in expanding community input into the building codes and standards development process, and examined questions about aligning with stakeholder interests versus soliciting their interest. Common Spark teamed with a tenants rights advocacy group to more deeply understand the limitations and opportunities for community involvement in this process and finalize recommendations for the Public Engagement Plan.

The work informed the 2025 Building Code Update Community Engagement process.