Igniting citizen participation in creating healthy built environments: the role of community organizations

This article examines the function of community-based organizations in engaging citizens in planning healthy built environments in urban neighbourhoods. Research on the 3-year Green, Active, Healthy Neighbourhoods (GAHN) initiative, spearheaded by a city-wide umbrella group and local organizations in four boroughs of Montreal found that in activating citizen participation, the role of organizations was significant in four dimensions: (i) mobilizing to generate awareness and interest; (ii) giving voice to problems and solutions; (iii) pooling citizens' and professionals' knowledge; and (iv) maintaining participation in implementation. Organizations involved in GAHN provided creative tools and processes for citizens' participation, which were valued by planners and local authorities, but collaborative participation was difficult beyond the exploratory and diagnostic dimensions. This study points to the challenges in sustaining collaboration and having influence. Organizations need to maintain pressure, conserve independence and renew linkages with citizens to shift urban planning practices from car-dominated to people-centred development.