Evolutionary Patterns and Mechanism Optimization of Public Participation in Community Regeneration Planning: A Case Study of Guangzhou

Against the backdrop of China’s urban transformation from incremental expansion to stock regeneration, community regeneration has emerged as a critical mechanism for enhancing urban governance efficacy. As fundamental units of urban systems, the regeneration of communities requires comprehensive approaches to address complex socio-spatial challenges, with public participation serving as the core driver for achieving sustainable renewal goals. However, significant regional disparities persist in the effectiveness of public participation across China, necessitating the systematic institutionalization of participatory practices. Guangzhou, as a pioneering city in institutional innovation and the practical exploration of urban regeneration, provides a representative case for examining the evolutionary trajectory of participatory planning. This research employs Arnstein’s Ladder of Participation theory, utilizing literature analysis and comparative case studies to investigate the evolution of participatory mechanisms in Guangzhou’s community regeneration over four decades. The study systematically examined the transformation of public engagement models across multiple dimensions, including organizational frameworks of participation, participatory effectiveness, diversified financing models, and the innovation of policy instruments. Three paradigm shifts were identified: the (1) transition of participants from “passive responders” to “active constructors”, (2) advancement of engagement phases from “fragmented intervention” to “whole-cycle empowerment”, and (3) evolution of participation methods from “unidirectional communication” to “collaborative co-governance”. It identifies four drivers of participatory effectiveness: policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, mediator cultivation, and engagement platforms. To enhance public engagement efficacy, the research proposes the following: (1) a resilient policy adaptation mechanism enabling dynamic responses to multi-stakeholder demands, (2) a diversified financing framework establishing a “government guidance + market operation + resident contribution” cost-sharing model, (3) a professional support system integrating “localization + specialization” capacities, and (4) enhanced digital empowerment and institutional innovation in participatory platform development. These mechanisms collectively form an evolutionary pathway from “symbolic participation” to “substantive co-creation” in urban regeneration governance.