Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation

5-2024

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph. D.

Department

Urban and Public Affairs

Degree Program

Urban and Public Affairs, PhD

Committee Chair

DeCaro, Daniel

Committee Member

Imbroscio, David

Committee Member

Kinahan, Kelly

Committee Member

Boamah, Emmanuel Frimpong

Committee Member

Zhang, Sumei (May)

Committee Member

Smith, Allison

Author's Keywords

co-production; distressed neighborhoods; community governance; sustainability; participation

Abstract

Scholars and planners advocate for neighborhood revitalization programs that prioritize inclusive planning and partnership with indigenous residents. Such planning must derive its vitality from residents’ leadership and legitimatize citizens as full partners and collaborators. Over time, the U.S. federal government's approach to neighborhood distress has shifted from top-down approaches towards inclusive revitalization planning. Despite advancements, concerns persist about the sustainability of revitalization outcomes through initiatives like the most recent federal revitalization effort, Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI). The dissertation project begins from the premise that when governments effectively support co-production (a complementary, synergistic relationship between different groups working together as equal partners to produce goods/services) and the adaptive capacity of groups (ability to be dynamic and withstand change), it enhances the groups’ capacity to devise optimal resolutions to dilemmas. The study applied the State-Reinforced Self-Governance (SRSG) framework and a sustainability model to analyze CNI revitalization policies, processes, and outcomes in Louisville's Russell neighborhood. Using interview and archival data, this research demonstrates a much-needed conceptual and analytical lens with which to measure actor and institutional capacities for cooperation and adaptive decision-making in neighborhood revitalization. The study revealed both successes and failures in co-production within Russell's revitalization process. While cooperation among actors existed, there were limitations in shared decision-making and formal modes of accountability and enforcement. State reinforcement of neighborhood capacities showed promise as some residents were recruited as neighborhood liaisons and granted full decision-making authority during the selection of projects as Action Activities. While the federal CNI is deficient in granting constitutive and constitutional decision-making authorities to residents, state and local level institutions offer these powers. Despite limitations, the CNI facilitated the emergence of neighborhood leadership, notably through the Russell Neighborhood Association. However, analysis of the Transformation Plan suggests limitations in advancing neighborhood sustainability. To enhance government-enabled neighborhood revitalization, it is recommended that the state actively reinforce community-level governance, institute formal and accessible mechanisms for accountability and enforcement, and ensure continuous clear communication and shared decision-making during the implementation phase of revitalization projects. Additionally, clear sustainability goals and benchmarks should be defined with the community to foster stable, thriving neighborhoods.

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