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Urban Regeneration's Poisoned Chalice: Is There an Impasse in (Community) Participation-based Policy?

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  • Peris S. Jones

    (Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, University of Oslo, PO Box 6832, St Olavs plass, NO-0130 Oslo, Norway, p.s.jones@nchr.uio.no)

Abstract

The meteoric rise of 'participation' in urban policy is premised upon the supposed benefits it brings in terms of added project 'efficiency', 'sustainability' and even 'empowerment' of participants. Yet, even as participation appears to reach its very zenith, it comes under heightened criticism from a growing chorus of observers. Some critics have suggested, for example, that 'participation', and contemporary urban regeneration's preferred institutional vehicle for it, 'partnership', can have a capacity for tyrannical decision-making. The article draws upon a diverse range of literature, including the rich experience of almost 20 years of 'participation' in the 'developing world', as well as the findings of a research project looking at a major regeneration programme on Merseyside, in order to highlight the multifaceted problems of—and possibilities for-participation. Ultimately, whether participation can alter social stratification within communities is unclear, it may even (re)produce inequalities. The difficulties should not mean that the participatory project is jettisoned. Rather, the article is a call for a research and policy debate characterised by a greater degree of honesty and maturity concerning participation.

Suggested Citation

  • Peris S. Jones, 2003. "Urban Regeneration's Poisoned Chalice: Is There an Impasse in (Community) Participation-based Policy?," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 40(3), pages 581-601, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:40:y:2003:i:3:p:581-601
    DOI: 10.1080/0042098032000053932
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Claire Mercer, 2002. "The Discourse of Maendeleo and the Politics of Women’s Participation on Mount Kilimanjaro," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 33(1), pages 101-127, January.
    2. Pretty, Jules N., 1995. "Participatory learning for sustainable agriculture," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 23(8), pages 1247-1263, August.
    3. Karen Hibbitt & Peris Jones & Richard Meegan, 2001. "Tackling Social Exclusion: The Role of Social Capital in Urban Regeneration on Merseyside — From Mistrust to Trust?," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(2), pages 141-161, March.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Hilary du Cros, 2009. "Emerging Issues for Cultural Tourism in Macau," Journal of Current Chinese Affairs - China aktuell, Institute of Asian Studies, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, vol. 38(1), pages 73-99.
    3. Gillian Bristow & Tom Entwistle & Frances Hines & Steve Martin, 2008. "New Spaces for Inclusion? Lessons from the ‘Three‐Thirds’ Partnerships in Wales," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(4), pages 903-921, December.
    4. Beau Warbroek & Thomas Hoppe, 2017. "Modes of Governing and Policy of Local and Regional Governments Supporting Local Low-Carbon Energy Initiatives; Exploring the Cases of the Dutch Regions of Overijssel and Fryslân," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-36, January.

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