Assessment
Web assessment skills for urban planners include evaluating the effectiveness, compatibility, and accessibility of a website.
Effectiveness relates to content clarity, navigation efficiency, and user engagement. Ask the following questions:
Does the website present the most important information upfront?
Can target users find what they need within three or less clicks?
Is the site intuitive and easy to navigate?
Does it engage users with relevant visuals, interactive elements, or calls to action?
Is the search functionality effective and user-friendly?
Tools for effectiveness assessment: Appendix A
Compatibility focuses on how a website performs across different screen sizes. Is content displayed optimally on desktops, tablets, and smartphones?
One can easily test using tablets or phones. If it is on a desktop or laptop, simply press Ctrl + Shift + I to check compatibility. Detailed instructions are available in Appendix B.
Accessibility ensures that the website can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. It involves checking if the site conforms to standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Key checks include:
Alternative Text for Images
Keyboard Navigation
Color Contrast & Readability
Semantic Structure
Planners are encouraged to use WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools developed by Utah State University WebAIM: https://wave.webaim.org/
Those who prefer manual checks can use the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Checklist developed by W3C, an international organization that sets standards for the World Wide Web (WWW).