| WHAT? |
Building capacity for participation involves developing and
organizing local constituencies to take part in participation
programs. Community capacity building is done primarily by
citizens and grassroots organizations, but local government
planners can play a key role. |
| WHY? |
Sometimes individual citizens will become interested and
involved in government and community issues on their own. Most
times, however, participation must be nurtured by building
capacity and organizing groups around specific areas of:
 |
place,
such as neighborhoods, or |
|
interest,
such as housing, transportation, land use, or environment. |
Planners can facilitate the development of such groups, but
they need to understand the dynamics of community organizations
and their development to engage them effectively in
participation programs. |
| WHO? |
Capacity building requires leaders in the community who will
take on the responsibility for participation and organizational
development. Planners can help to generate community interest by
providing information and assisting community groups to become
more established. |
| WHEN? WHERE? |
Capacity building is an ongoing effort, but it is often
galvanized around a controversial issue (a large development or
rezoning) or an important decisionmaking process (comprehensive
plan update). Planners and community leaders should take
advantage of such episodes because they have lasting value and
may create a "culture" of participation. |
| HOW? |
Grassroots organizing and participation can be structured into
three phases of development:
|
| STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS |
Strengths: Public participation will be more effective
as the community understands the role individuals and groups can
play in decisionmaking. With organized groups and involvement
experience, the community is poised to make the most out of
participation and to enhance the role of citizens from
"respondents" to "consultants" to "decisionmakers."
[link to "what level of participation" from the
Introduction]
Limitations: Organizing and building capacity for
participation is not an easy task. While planners can assist the
building process by helping to form groups and committees, the
primary responsibility lies with community activists and
leaders. |
| CASES |
|
| REFERENCES & LINKS |
The Citizens
Handbook: A Guide to Building Community in Vancouver
Vancouver Citizens Committee
Community toolbox:
Bringing Solutions to Light
University of Kansas Work
Group on Health Promotion and Community Development in
Lawrence, KS, and AHEC/Community Partners in Amherst,
Massachusetts
Citizen group
"Building Capacity for community change"
Organizing: Two perspectives: citizen group, government
planner
|
