As of 2010, Portsmouth, New Hampshire (population 20,000) has
sustained the practice of organized, public dialogue and
deliberation for over ten years. Since 1999, diverse community
groups in Portsmouth have organized at least six rounds of
large-scale dialogue-to-action circles (study circles)
initiatives. This case study provides brief descriptions of four
of these initiatives from 1999 through 2004. Descriptions of
Portsmouth’s later public engagement initiatives will be added
to this entry at a later date, or posted as separate entries.
Note: This article is in need of assistance with editing and
content. Please help us complete it. This case study features a
participatory process to create a "community map" of a small
Italian municipality. This project involved meetings of
citizens, interest groups, and disadvantaged individuals, with
the ultimate goal of defining a common vision and identity for
the entire town.