OMAHA BY DESIGN – DISTRICT DIALOGUE

About the Engagement Events 

District Dialogues are tabletop conversations held in each council district where Omaha residents can discuss how to bring the Guiding Principles to life with their neighbors, planning staff, and their City Councilmember. 

Conversations will focus on outcomes that deliver the Guiding Principles in each council district’s geographic area. Participants will have the opportunity to give input on placemaking in their district and success measures for each Guiding Principle. 

Participants will also learn about their district’s history – why places and infrastructure look and operate the way they do, and how planning practices over time have shaped neighborhoods across Omaha. Participants can provide their reactions to this information and share how they see their district growing and changing over time. 

What to Expect 

First, explore self-led read-and-respond information about your City Council district, the Guiding Principles, and plan progress – as well as what comes next and how your input will help shape the plan. 

Then, enjoy a light meal before engaging in facilitated, small-group conversation about bringing the Guiding Principles to life in your district. Explore what it means to see change where you live, work, and play, identify opportunities and barriers to success, and give your input on how best to measure progress toward our shared vision. 

Activities will be a mix of self-led read-and-respond, small group discussion, and presentation with digital live-response polling via smartphone. If you do not plan to use a smartphone during this event, let us know when you register for your ticket and we will have a way for you to participate in live polling. 

How will your input be used? 

From July 2024 – January 2025, almost 4,000 people who care about Omaha told us about their vision for the future of our city. Their responses – over 50,000 of them – were painstakingly analyzed and used to develop the Guiding Principles: aspirational statements for our shared vision for Omaha’s future. 

Now, it’s time to discuss how we make them a reality. These place-based dialogues will help us identify the outcomes that indicate our vision has been realized. Your input will be captured, organized, and provided to Technical Committees who will work throughout 2025 and 2026 to develop the “how” of delivering these outcomes across all elements of the plan and across the city. 

Language Accessibility 

All materials will be available in English and Spanish. Spanish translation and interpretation will be available on-site. ASL interpretation will be available on-site. 

Childcare 

All ages are welcome at the District Dialogues! There will be a children’s area with toys and games available, as well as an in-room childcare provider, for young children during the event. Older children are invited to participate in the input activities. 

Food & Beverage 

Food will be available at the District Dialogues – enjoy local snacks, beverages, and light meal options before diving into conversation about the Guiding Principles in your district. 

Food offerings will be nut-allergy friendly. A vegetarian option will be offered. If you have additional dietary restrictions or allergies, please indicate your needs during ticket checkout so our team can accommodate you.