Jumping Off the Ladder

Abstract

Problem, research strategy, and findings: Sherry Arnstein intended her ladder of participation as a conceptual tool to help planners redistribute power to citizens, but a key institution to include residents in decision making, the community development corporation (CDC), has proven limited. Based on a case study of participation and insurgency in Detroit’s (MI) urban planning, we argue that CDCs structurally align with the planning establishment, serving as relays for governments and developers and controlling information. These limitations inspired insurgent planners to arise from the resident Charlevoix Village Association (CVA) in Detroit and to intervene in the planning process. CVA’s insurgent activities and knowledge production have galvanized residents to engage beyond the participatory planning paradigm. CVA has demonstrated that insurgency can enable engaged residents to build the power to push for equitable development in ways that Arnstein’s ladder of participation failed to account for.Takeaway for practice: We suggest that although CDCs have not been an effective means for redistributing power to marginalized residents, planning insurgencies can be important vehicles for achieving community control and promoting equitable development. We argue that planners should not promote CDCs at the expense of insurgent planners. Instead, planners can engage in dialogue and partnerships with insurgent planners, provide key resources and information to bolster their capabilities, and design participatory frameworks that enhance their influence.

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