Community-Initiated Urban Development: An Ecological Intervention

Abstract

Neglected urban environments have been linked to social isolation, depression, and other health problems. In Portland, OR in 2003, an intervention was implemented and evaluated in three neighborhoods with the objective of promoting community participation in urban renewal and engaging residents in the construction of attractive urban places. Municipal officials approved and permitted community-designed street murals, public benches, planter boxes, information kiosks with bulletin boards, trellises for hanging gardens, all positioned in the public rightof-way. Residents within a two-block radius of the three sites were systematically sampled and interviewed before (N = 325) and after (N = 349) the intervention, of which, 265 individuals completed both surveys of the panel study. After the intervention, multivariate results revealed improvements in mental health (p = 0.03), increased sense of community (p G 0.01), and an overall expansion of social capital (p = 0.04). Through community empowerment, participation, and collective action, the strategy successfully engaged residents in restoring neighborhoods, with direct benefits to community well-being.

The West End Revitalization Association's Community-Owned and -Managed Research Model: Development, Implementation, and Action

“…9,11,14,[67][68][69] To create better health outcomes and sustainable programs, it is essential to have trained CBO boards, staff, and residents lead, own, and manage the research and intervention development processes. 4,70 By having more ownership over the process, CBOs can further empower vulnerable populations to manage the improvement of health and quality of life in their communities, whether it be (1) reduction of environmental exposures, [71][72][73] (2) promotion of better environmental health policies, 13,74,75 (4) improved asthma diagnosis and management, [76][77][78] (5) cessation of smoking among youth, 79 or (6) reduction of health disparities. [80][81][82] We hope that environmental and public health researchers can benefit from a move away from traditional UMRMs toward the COMR approach.…”

The Handbook of Salutogenesis

“…This is consistent with the principle that projects and decisions gain legitimacy by applying democratic processes in their planning and implementation (Marmot & Allen, 2013). Participation in planning processes seems to improve wellbeing, increase social capital, expand social networks, and promote empowerment for the involved individuals and communities (Semenza, 2003;Semenza & March, 2009;Semenza, March, & Bontempo, 2006;Twiss et al, 2003).…”

Networked Urban Climate Governance: Neighborhood-Scale Residential Solar Energy Systems and the Example of Solarize Portland

“…These can include the creation of alternative community planning exercises (Peterman, 1999), 'citizen science', or the community-based production of scientific knowledge (Aylett, 2010b;Corburn, 2003). They can also involve various forms of project-based direct action such as neighborhood revitalization, the creation of community gardens and green spaces, establishing communitysupported local agricultural production, or the installation of household-level renewable energy technologies (Semenza et al, 2006). While these projects are community led, this does not imply that state and private sector actors are excluded.…”