Knowledge
Planning cell
The planning cell (Planungszelle) is a participation procedure in which randomly selected people are released for a short time to produce a citizens’ report on a specific question.
For a planning cell, around 25 people are invited at random to work intensively on a planning or policy question for a few days. They hear experts, work in changing small groups and jointly formulate recommendations. Organisers summarise the result in a citizens’ report (Bürgergutachten).
The procedure was developed in the 1970s by the sociologist Peter Dienel. Its strength is the combination of random selection, good information and focused work — producing balanced recommendations beyond volume and individual interests.
Features of the planning cell
- Randomly selected participants
- Time-limited and released from work
- Work in changing small groups
- Result: a citizens’ report
Alongside a planning cell, MyIdeas collects ideas and feedback from the wider public — as input and for transparent follow-up.
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