What do you do if remote work is hindering face-to-face interaction for urban planners?
Urban planning is a field that thrives on collaboration and community engagement. As remote work becomes more prevalent, urban planners face the challenge of maintaining the essential face-to-face interactions that foster effective communication and stakeholder involvement. The shift to digital platforms can create barriers to the spontaneous and nuanced discussions that are often crucial in shaping our urban environments. If you're grappling with the diminished interpersonal interaction that remote work brings, it's important to explore strategies that can bridge the gap and ensure that the collaborative spirit of urban planning remains strong.
In the era of remote work, virtual tools have become indispensable for urban planners. These platforms can simulate face-to-face interactions to some extent, allowing for real-time collaboration and discussion. You might consider scheduling regular video conferences to keep the team connected and ensure that project momentum is maintained. Virtual whiteboards and shared documents can also facilitate a collaborative environment where ideas can be developed and refined collectively. It's crucial to establish a routine that includes these virtual touchpoints to compensate for the lack of in-person meetings.
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Aloysius Soong
Elevating Success for Businesses & Individuals | Driving Growth through Leadership
While many are still surprised that remote work and virtual tools have become part and parcel of our work lives, it is worth noting that many of us were brought up in an environment that largely focused on said tools. Still, it is crucial that we do not lose sight of face-to-face interactions as it is an important part of what makes us human. Face-to-face meetings offer opportunities for spontaneous conversations, non-verbal cues, and relationship-building that are difficult to replicate virtually. The key is to be intentional and flexible in integrating both into the workflow. By leveraging the strengths of both approaches, teams can maximize productivity, engagement, and collaboration, regardless of their physical location.
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Hoda Behravesh
[email protected] |Architect |urban planner
For Urban planners, face-to-face talks are key, but hard when working remotely. So they must use video calls and chat apps to meet regularly. But they should also plan some in-person events or site visits if safe. This way, they can have meaningful face-time too. Strong online talking channels let planners engage local people even while working from home. But occasional real-life meetings help build bonds better. So a good mix of virtual tools and some physical meets when possible is ideal.
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Divya Singh
Corporate Trainer | Personality Designer | Soft Skills Educator | Confidence & Communication Coach | Public Speaker | 9000+ lives transformed | 1100+ workshops / webinars conducted | 120+ hrs of corporate training
1. Host regular virtual team lunches or activities to encourage face-to-face interaction. 2. Implement "no-email Fridays" to promote in-person conversations. 3. Create designated collaboration time to facilitate face-to-face discussions.
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Dr. Chanda Sinhababu
HR Specialist/HR Transformation/ Mental Wellness Promoter
Remote working surely hinder face to face interactions. To overcome You can use various online tools like Google Meet, Zoom, Slack etc to connect virtually on specific period Build a strong sense of team connection by discussing task, taking suggestion and feedback, Have online coffee casual meets to enhance communication Try and meet atleast once a year if possible Talk to team members separately to understand their problems
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Prodip Kumar Biswas
Content Creator | Ghost Writer | Freelancer @Upwork | Super Moderator @Xiaomi | Math Enthusiast | Tech Reporter | Community Builder | Let's Connect!
To address the lack of face-to-face interaction for urban planners due to remote work, utilize virtual communication tools, schedule regular meetings, plan occasional in-person gatherings, foster informal communication channels, encourage open communication, and prioritize relationship building. These strategies help maintain effective collaboration and communication among team members despite remote work constraints.
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Dr. Hossam samir Ibrahim
Senior Urban Planning Advisor @ Ministry Of Municipality | PhD, Coastal Zone Planning & Management
To address reduced face-to-face interaction due to remote work in urban planning, implement hybrid meeting solutions that blend in-person and virtual participation. Schedule regular on-site workshops and team-building activities to strengthen relationships and enhance collaboration. Utilize digital collaboration tools effectively to maintain continuous communication and ensure all team members are engaged. Establish clear protocols for communication and regular check-ins to foster a sense of community and shared purpose among dispersed team members.
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Jatin Mittal
IIML | DCE | Strategy & Planning | Project & Program Management | Business Development
In person interaction has been very essential for Urban planner. To develop sustainable plan and efficient infrastructure, urban planner has to collaborate with cross functional team, which works on different aspects of planning incl. land use, transportation, environment, and socio-economic aspect. However, the shift to virtual cooperation may improve their efficiency with the appropriate resources/tools and approaches. With the help of digital tools like ArcGIS, planners create, manage, analyse, and visualize geographic data in real time and make well-informed decisions from a distance. Digital Twin Simulation & VR tech can enable immersive virtual meetings by bringing urban areas to life. Digital Tools: GIS, Digital Twin, VR, Power BI
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Agusto Bernal
Analista de TIC en Ministerio de Educación
In the current landscape of remote work, virtual tools play a pivotal role in the toolkit of urban planners. These platforms offer a semblance of face-to-face interactions, enabling real-time collaboration and discourse. Incorporating regular video conferences into your schedule fosters team connectivity and sustains project momentum. Leveraging virtual whiteboards and shared documents further cultivates a collaborative environment, facilitating the collective refinement and development of ideas. Establishing a routine that integrates these virtual touchpoints is essential to bridge the gap left by the absence of in-person meetings and ensure seamless collaboration and communication within the team.
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Paula Steinmetz
CFO
The era of remote work can be considerably challenging for building team connections. To help overcome this establish routine video meetings. A casual chat group that is ongoing on a daily basis can also help the group get to know each other better. Planning a few company outings a year is a great way to bring people together. We also like to have company contests or trivia each month to help build bonding.
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Randima Perera
Head of Human Resources at TIQRI
Frequent scheduled meeting will help ensure all are on the same page, our connected and ideas are shared. Having the Video turned on for these calls are also extremely important to understand each other and the nonverbal cues. As most have said in person meetings as often as possible is important and when scheduling such meetings everyone's convince and buy-in is important. If that one day you meet physically ensure once the work meeting is done, you gather as a team to do something more relaxing and engaging as a team (i.e Bowling or dinner) so not only do you know them in the work setting but there is room to get to know them in a casual setting too.
Hybrid meetings, which combine both in-person and remote participation, can be a solution to foster interaction among urban planners. By organizing such meetings, you ensure that even those who are working remotely can engage with their colleagues and stakeholders. It's important to have the necessary technology in place so that remote participants can contribute effectively. This might include high-quality video conferencing equipment and collaborative software that allows for shared access to planning documents and maps.
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Luca Mora
Professor of Urban Innovation and Director / Edinburgh Napier University & Tallinn University of Technology
It is essential to recognise that while hybrid meetings offer a promising bridge between in-person and remote interactions, they also introduce challenges associated with the digital divide - disparities in access to technology, reliable internet connectivity, and digital literacy, which vary widely across different regions and demographics. Consequently, the adoption of hybrid meetings as a solution should be approached with caution to avoid inadvertently excluding those who lack the necessary resources or skills to participate effectively. To promote inclusivity, it is critical to assess local-context conditions and provide tailored support, ensuring that no one is left behind.
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Mohammed Shaik Hameed A M S N
Architecture | Urbanism | Public Policy | Logistics | GatiShakti
Remote work doesn't have to mean working in isolation. Planners can collaborate virtually with peers through online forums, professional networks, and virtual workshops or hackathons focused on urban planning challenges. Engaging in collaborative projects with colleagues from diverse backgrounds can foster creativity, knowledge sharing, and peer learning opportunities.
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Rayasha Das
Regulatory Affairs Specialist | Bristol Meyers Squibb| Ex- Dr Reddy's
Urban planning is inherently tied to the community, and face-to-face interaction is vital for understanding local needs and gathering public input. Conducting online community workshops to involve residents in the planning process can include breakout sessions and small group discussions to mimic the interaction of an in-person meeting. Also, using virtual reality or 360-degree tours to give remote participants a sense of the project site enables them to understand the context and provide more informed input during discussions. Implementing digital mapping tools where remote community members can mark important locations or suggest improvements can contribute to these maps in real-time, creating a shared understanding of the area.
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Sergei Turkov
Wois: Shaping Digital Legacies & Twins. Investing in Space Tech, Longevity & Web3. Fostering Intelligent Social Culture: Be Authentic. 🌏
Hybrid meetings have been a game-changer for our team. When we organize them, it feels like we're all in the same room, whether we're at home or in the office. I remember one hybrid meeting where we used collaborative software to work on planning documents together. It was amazing to see how seamlessly we could all contribute, no matter where we were located.
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Souvik Jana
🚀 Founder & CEO at FliqaIndia | Driving Innovation in Startup & SMEs | Passionate Entrepreneur to Help Society
1. **Digital Divide Awareness**: Hybrid meetings can bridge in-person and remote interactions but may exacerbate disparities in technology access, internet connectivity, and digital literacy. 2. **Caution in Adoption**: Approaching hybrid meetings with caution is crucial to avoid excluding individuals lacking resources or skills for effective participation. 3. **Promoting Inclusivity**: Assessing local-context conditions and providing tailored support are essential steps to ensure inclusivity and prevent anyone from being left behind in the transition to hybrid meetings.
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Henry Vermeulen
MySQL, PHP, jQuery and more developer at DevIT
I work remote all the time. When i have to do work with others i have a Chromebook with Google meet open. My coworkers do that also. So just like being in the same office all day but actually not even in the same country. Works perfect.
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Chandrashekhar Singh Mourya
𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 | 𝐁𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭!
Implement hybrid meeting formats that combine virtual and in-person elements. Organize hybrid meetings where some team members participate remotely while others meet face-to-face. This approach maintains connectivity while accommodating diverse work preferences.
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Indigo Rainforest Sky Monser-Kernosh
Graduate Fellow at Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy | Defense & Army Intelligence Analyst | Expert in Threat Assessment & Security Policy | Leader in Strategic Insights & Mentorship
Hybrid meetings, which combine both in-person and remote participation, can be a solution to foster interaction among urban planners. By organizing such meetings, you ensure that even those who are working remotely can engage with their colleagues and stakeholders. It's important to have the necessary technology in place so that remote participants can contribute effectively. This might include high-quality video conferencing equipment and collaborative software that allows for shared access to planning documents and maps.
Community engagement is a cornerstone of urban planning, and remote work should not be an obstacle to involving citizens in the planning process. You can utilize online platforms to host virtual town halls, workshops, and public forums that enable community members to voice their opinions and provide feedback. It's essential to make these sessions accessible and user-friendly to encourage broad participation. Remember, the goal is to replicate the inclusivity of face-to-face interactions as closely as possible.
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Sihle Philani Nhlapo
Postgraduate Diploma Graduate in Governance and Political Transformation (NQF Level 8) | MA Candidate
With remote work hindering face-to-face interaction, urban planners should explore alternative methods to reach community members. This may include targeted social media campaigns, virtual town hall meetings, or online surveys to gather input and feedback from a diverse range of stakeholders. Promote collaboration among community members via online forums, virtual brainstorming sessions, and design charrettes, fostering engagement despite physical distance. Use online platforms and virtual meeting software for remote community engagement, enabling interactive discussions and workshops for urban planners to connect with stakeholders.
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Julio Hofflinger
Forestry Engineer | Green Hydrogen | Technology for Forest Management | Environmental Assessment and Compensation | Professional Scrum Master |
Actively engage with the community despite the limitations of remote work. Utilize online surveys, virtual town halls, and social media platforms to gather feedback, share information, and build a sense of community involvement in the planning process.
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Sergei Turkov
Wois: Shaping Digital Legacies & Twins. Investing in Space Tech, Longevity & Web3. Fostering Intelligent Social Culture: Be Authentic. 🌏
Engaging with the community online has been both challenging and rewarding. Hosting virtual town halls and workshops has allowed us to gather valuable input from residents, even during these times of remote work. I vividly remember a virtual forum where we discussed a new project with community members. Their insights and feedback were invaluable in shaping our plans.
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Chandrashekhar Singh Mourya
𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 | 𝐁𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭!
Prioritize community engagement initiatives through virtual platforms. Host virtual town hall meetings, webinars, or online forums to gather input from stakeholders, residents, and community leaders. Foster meaningful interactions and feedback loops despite physical distance.
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Krishna Raman
Digitalization | Urban Planning | Smart Cities
In urban planning, community engagement is key. Despite remote work, citizens can still be involved via online platforms hosting virtual town halls, workshops, and public forums. These platforms allow community members to voice opinions and provide feedback. Ensuring these sessions are accessible and user-friendly encourages participation. The aim is to mimic the inclusivity of in-person interactions as closely as possible.
Networking is vital for professional growth and staying informed about industry trends. As an urban planner, you might feel isolated from your professional community when working remotely. To mitigate this, seek out virtual networking events or webinars that are relevant to urban planning. These can provide opportunities to connect with peers, share experiences, and discuss challenges. Additionally, consider organizing informal virtual meetups with colleagues to maintain a sense of camaraderie and support.
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Nadine B.
مدن مستدامة | مجتمعات مزدهرة | MENA Cities| Generalist | Urban Transformation | Regional and Strategic Urban Planning | missions and places | SDG | Local Development | Positive Impact for Planet and People |
Urban planning professional.networks on a global.level connect members and enable knowledge transfer about how cities around the world are developping new tools and policies. Being part of an online community that organises various events would be a way to interact with the different facets of the profession
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Rayasha Das
Regulatory Affairs Specialist | Bristol Meyers Squibb| Ex- Dr Reddy's
Networking is essential for urban planners, providing opportunities to share knowledge and collaborate with others in the field. Remote work do not specifically limit these opportunities, but you can still find ways to connect. Attending virtual conferences, webinars, and industry events to meet other professionals or organizing small in-person networking events with local urban planners or joining hybrid events that combine virtual and physical participation can help urban planners stay connected with their peers and industry trends.
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Mohammed Shaik Hameed A M S N
Architecture | Urbanism | Public Policy | Logistics | GatiShakti
Conferences and workshops often feature speakers and participants from diverse backgrounds, offering a range of perspectives on urban planning issues. Exposure to different viewpoints can broaden urban planners' understanding of complex challenges and inspire innovative solutions.
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Sergei Turkov
Wois: Shaping Digital Legacies & Twins. Investing in Space Tech, Longevity & Web3. Fostering Intelligent Social Culture: Be Authentic. 🌏
Networking virtually has opened up new opportunities for professional growth. I recently attended a webinar on personal branding and authenticity trends, where I connected with experts from around the world. It was inspiring to hear about their experiences and share ideas. Plus, setting up virtual coffee chats with colleagues has helped maintain that sense of camaraderie we all miss from in-person interactions.
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Chandrashekhar Singh Mourya
𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 | 𝐁𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭!
Organize virtual networking events, workshops, or conferences specifically tailored for urban planners. Encourage knowledge sharing, peer-to-peer networking, and collaboration on industry challenges and best practices. These events foster connections and professional development opportunities.
Remote work provides an excellent opportunity for urban planners to focus on skill development. While face-to-face interaction may be reduced, you can use this time to enhance your expertise in various planning software and tools that are increasingly important in a digitized world. Online courses, tutorials, and webinars can help you stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and methodologies in urban planning, making you more effective in your role, both online and offline.
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Sihle Philani Nhlapo
Postgraduate Diploma Graduate in Governance and Political Transformation (NQF Level 8) | MA Candidate
Offer virtual training and professional development opportunities to enhance the skills of urban planners. Online workshops, webinars, and e-learning courses can provide valuable knowledge and resources to support skill development in areas such as urban design, data analysis, and community engagement. Encourage urban planners to embrace digital tools and technologies that support remote collaboration and communication. This may include project management software, virtual reality tools for urban design visualization, or geographic information systems (GIS) for spatial analysis. By leveraging these tools effectively, urban planners can enhance their technical skills and adapt to the demands of remote work.
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Sergei Turkov
Wois: Shaping Digital Legacies & Twins. Investing in Space Tech, Longevity & Web3. Fostering Intelligent Social Culture: Be Authentic. 🌏
Remote work has given me the chance to focus on honing my skills. I've enrolled in online courses to learn advanced planning software, and I've been amazed at how much I've grown professionally. One particular webinar on sustainable urban design left a lasting impression on me, sparking new ideas for future projects.
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Chandrashekhar Singh Mourya
𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 | 𝐁𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭!
Invest in skill development programs that enhance virtual collaboration, communication, and project management skills. Offer training sessions on using virtual tools effectively, conducting virtual meetings, and navigating remote work challenges. Empower urban planners with the skills needed to thrive in a digital workspace.
Implementing robust feedback mechanisms is essential in a remote work environment. As an urban planner, you need to ensure that there is a clear channel for receiving input from team members and stakeholders. This could involve regular check-ins, surveys, or digital suggestion boxes. Such tools can help maintain a dialogue and ensure that everyone's voice is heard, fostering a collaborative atmosphere despite the physical distance.
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Sihle Philani Nhlapo
Postgraduate Diploma Graduate in Governance and Political Transformation (NQF Level 8) | MA Candidate
Establish real-time feedback channels, such as live chat support or virtual office hours, to enable stakeholders to provide feedback and ask questions as they arise. By offering convenient and accessible channels for communication, urban planners can ensure that feedback is timely and responsive to the needs of the community, despite the challenges of remote work. Organize virtual focus groups to solicit in-depth feedback from key stakeholders and community members. These sessions can provide valuable insights into community preferences, concerns, and priorities, helping urban planners make more informed decisions and refine planning strategies.
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Souvik Jana
🚀 Founder & CEO at FliqaIndia | Driving Innovation in Startup & SMEs | Passionate Entrepreneur to Help Society
1. **Real-Time Feedback Channels**: Implement live chat support or virtual office hours to enable stakeholders to provide feedback and ask questions conveniently and promptly. This ensures that feedback is responsive to community needs despite remote work challenges. 2. **Virtual Focus Groups**: Organize virtual focus groups to gather in-depth feedback from key stakeholders and community members. These sessions offer valuable insights into preferences, concerns, and priorities, empowering urban planners to make informed decisions and refine planning strategies effectively.
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Uchendu Eugene Chigbu
Land
Face-to-face interaction is necessary for planning because there is to be direct trust-related exchanges to be agreed upon for decision-making and decision support. A remote work should be a last option for engagement. In the case of difficulties, I will go for a hybrid work that involves alternating virtual and face-to-face time frames while embracing hybrid when/where face-to-face is impossible.
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Anitha Selvan
Founder at Career Cognizance
When remote work hinders face-to-face interaction, innovative networking solutions become essential. Consider virtual networking events where planners can connect, share ideas, & build relationships online. Utilize video conferencing tools for virtual meetings, workshops, & collaborative sessions to mimic face-to-face interactions as closely as possible. Create online forums or communities where planners can engage in ongoing discussions, share resources, and seek advice. Encourage participation in webinars, conferences, and professional development opportunities that offer virtual networking components. Lastly, prioritize maintaining personal connections through regular check-ins and informal virtual gatherings to strengthen relationships.
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Sihle Philani Nhlapo
Postgraduate Diploma Graduate in Governance and Political Transformation (NQF Level 8) | MA Candidate
Establish community ambassador programs to empower local residents and stakeholders to act as advocates and representatives for their neighborhoods. Train and equip community ambassadors with the knowledge and tools they need to engage with urban planners, provide feedback, and participate in decision-making processes on behalf of their communities. Consider incorporating virtual reality (VR) technology to create immersive experiences that enable stakeholders to visualize and experience proposed urban planning projects in a virtual environment. VR simulations can enhance stakeholder engagement by providing a more intuitive and realistic representation of design concepts and spatial relationships.
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Mohammed Shaik Hameed A M S N
Architecture | Urbanism | Public Policy | Logistics | GatiShakti
Implement peer feedback and review processes where team members provide feedback to each other on their work performance, deliverables, or contributions to projects. Peer feedback can offer valuable insights and perspectives and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the team.
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Sergei Turkov
Wois: Shaping Digital Legacies & Twins. Investing in Space Tech, Longevity & Web3. Fostering Intelligent Social Culture: Be Authentic. 🌏
Finding a balance between work and personal life has been crucial for me during remote work. Taking regular breaks to go for a walk or spending time with family has helped me stay refreshed and focused. It's all about maintaining that healthy work-life balance, even when our work environment has shifted.
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