Tomiquia Moss

Date of Award

Spring 3-2008

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Abstract

The value of citizen participation in the public sector has been debated for decades. How to adequately incorporate citizen input into government processes has been equally challenged. The San Francisco Redevelopment Agency has been responsible neighborhood wide redevelopment projects in San Francisco in the name of urban revitalization. The multi prong approach of economic development, affordable housing, street scrape, and infrastructure improvements have been the auspice in which the redevelopment agency has entered neighborhoods that are challenged with a variety of social and economic problems. Two redevelopment projects in San Francisco will provide reference and context to the successes and challenges of citizen participation in redevelopment projects for the purpose of this study. The Western Addition neighborhood was originally targeted for redevelopment in 1948 due to the blighted conditions of existing buildings, an increase in crime, and lagging economic prosperity in the neighborhood. The South of Market redevelopment project was originally targeted in 1990 for earthquake restoration. The purpose of this research study is to investigate citizen participation in redevelopment projects. What methods are currently used to solicit citizen participation? What kind of participation occurs and is the input adequately integrated into the development decisions and outcome of the project? Finally, what recommendations can be made to strengthen this component of redevelopment projects in San Francisco?

This study will include interviews from key informants about citizen participation in redevelopment projects as well as a survey tool of residents and community stakeholders who participated or are familiar with redevelopment projects in San Francisco particularly, the Western Addition and the South of Market neighborhoods. A literature review will be done to investigate citizen participation in governance and situate this research study in the data that has already been conducted on this subject area. The findings of the data will cultivate policy recommendations about how to strengthen citizen participation in redevelopment projects.

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