Web assessment skills for urban planners are the knowledge and ability to evaluate the effectiveness, compatibility, and accessibility of a website.
Effectiveness relates to content clarity, navigation efficiency, and user engagement. It is helpful to 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, with a logical structure?
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: Website Effectiveness Checklist (Current not available. It will be part of the Appendix. It is expected to be available by the end of April)
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 your mobile phone, or if it is on a desktop or laptop, simply press Ctrl + Shift + I to check compatibility. Detailed instructions are available in Appendix (Current not available. It is expected to be available by the end of April)
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. 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).
The link for WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools:
The link for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Checklist
https://www.w3.org/TR/2006/WD-WCAG20-20060427/appendixB.html