A background report is an essential part of the community planning process.
It is typically a collection of data and facts about a community that helps us understand how a community may change over time. It helps planners to understand demographic shifts, land topography, economic development trends, housing needs, and more.
Background reports support informed policymaking and planning decisions. They help us decide how much land should be reserved for housing, commercial development, or parks. A background report also helps us identify areas that need protection or preservation.
Data alone is limited. It cannot tell us why population has changed. Or why certain parts of the land are important. Or why fishing is connected to creating kinship bonds. To understand a community and its people, we need to learn about the stories people share about a place. About themselves.
Things to Include in a Background Report?
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Demographics and Housing are essential sections for good planning. These sections help us understand how the community population is changing. This information tells us how much land we need for new housing and what types of housing we may need.
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Lands and Waters are the heart of the community. How we choose to develop the land impacts a community for generations. Maps can show information about the land including elevations, slope, types of vegetation, water, natural hazards, and soil types. This helps us understand where new development can occur and where development may be more costly.
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History and People are important parts of a background report. Knowing the history of a place and its people helps us to understand and plan for its future. We can protect heritage sites and promote cultural connections.
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Economic Profiles help us understand the local businesses, services, and industry that operate in a community. With this information, we can understand if there are opportunities for new businesses, and where they should go.
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Community Services and Recreation Sections talk about places where people can meet, play, and learn. They also look at health services. For example, communities with many older people might need more care services, while areas with many families might need more schools and daycares.
Data is only the beginning – what is your community’s story?
Data is important for a Background Report and Community Plan but only shows a moment in time. It does not have a ‘mystical’ or poetic quality to it. Stories do. Stories build relationships between people and with the land. Those stories can become part of a vision for a community and what it wants its future to be.
Sharing stories as part of the planning process goes beyond numbers and data. We can understand the deep connections between people and the land. We can learn that activities about fishing are about finding food and about building kinship bonds.
It takes time to learn stories. Relationships must be built with people and the land. At Narratives, we believe in the power of story to teach, to transform, to break barriers, and heal - informing community-driven planning. By truly listening to the stories of place, we foster deeper connections that shape meaningful change in communities.