Here’s what you need to know about the Places refresh:
What are the key features of the new Places tool?
This is mainly a participant-facing update, and there are some key differences that you will see:
Updated Places user interface (UI)
Mapbox maps replaced with Esri maps, in line with the Granicus partnership
Removal of customer pain points
What do I need to know about the new UI?
The new UI design will feature:
A more prominent Activity Feed to showcase pin submissions and create better engagement between community members.
A more modern post design in the Activity Feed to highlight images and create visual consistency between tools.
A changed menu layout to increase usability by making it easier to create and submit pins, particularly on a mobile device.
An improved zoom-level experience on Esri maps
How has this refresh improved the participant experience?
The Places tool refresh is designed to improve the participant experience by:
Improving performance, including a smoother pin-placing experience and zoom functionality and migration from Mapbox to Esri.
Using a mobile-first design to improve usability and accessibility and increase engagement.
Improving visual consistency between tools for effortless participation.
Is there anything I need to do before the feature update is released?
There is nothing you need to do before the feature is released. After the release, we recommend reviewing your Places tool instances and testing it on mobile devices so you can understand the participant experience.
For example, if you have included instructions on using your Places tool, please review and update as the user elements, such as icons and buttons, have changed.
What will happen to live and archived Places tools when the feature update is released?
All existing Places tools, whether live or archived, will inherit the new UI on the standalone page and in the tool tab preview on the project page. There will be no changes to your tool's current settings or reporting.
What do I do if I experience problems with the new Places tool?
We are testing extensively to ensure the new UI is fully compatible with historic and current Places tools. However, there may be some edge cases, such as if you have included custom code in your site design.
If you experience any negative impacts, please submit a support ticket or contact us via chat so we can work with you to resolve them.
What kind of engagement activities can I do with the Places tool?
We encourage you to explore and use the Places tool for many different engagement activities. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Tracking transport concerns, such as bike path or traffic hazards and incident reporting
Access environmental impact information and concerns
Planning ideas and feedback, such as parks, trails, and playground improvements or bus routes
Community knowledge sharing, such as participants’ favorite places in their area
Understand location-based pain points in your community
Pinpoint underserved community groups
I want to learn more about the new Places - where should I start?
Check out these resources: