Because of their rapid implementation into the home and work place, personal computers have provided the infrastructure to allow the Internet to become a widely used and expansive tool for communication. Communications technology, specifically the Internet, have successfully opened up a new way of finding information, providing information, and communicating with others.

The Internet is a constantly growing and changing entity. Because of its dynamic nature, little about it is dormant or stagnant. This is also the case for community. Cities, towns, and villages; these places rarely remain exactly the same for long. As people, economics, values, and the physical environment change and grow, so does the community. It would follow, then, that the Internet will provide communities with a similarly active and dynamic communications tool to enhance participation.

This thesis will investigate the use of the Internet and its vast communicative abilities as planning tools within the realm of public participation. Because the Internet offers such powerful and innovative information and communications tools, it follows that it will offer compelling new methods through which the public's input can be gained in planning.

Public participation impacts greatly on the planning profession itself. Changes in how we gain public input can also cause changes in the way we view planning. The two are strongly connected and changing attitudes about one will begin change attitudes about the other.

Key Words: information, reaction, feedback, communication, accessibility, interaction, connection, options, dynamics.