Finding our way: A case study of urban waterway restoration and participatory process

This paper explores some of the challenges encountered in organizing multiple stakeholders in working toward the revitalization of an urban waterway. Drawing primarily from positive experiences with a creek revitalization project in Syracuse, New York, we identify several factors concerning the context and challenges - both material and social - that have helped to shape the outcomes. Use of collaborative participation processes, co-production, and directly addressing environmental justice issues for engaging stakeholders in such projects are discussed. We seek to identify key points and lessons that can help inform others about participatory processes in communities coping with water-related environmental justice issues. Outcomes include: greater levels of participation by those previously lacking a voice in the process, the conceptual plan itself, indirect physical project outcomes, and establishing new standards for participatory processes in the region. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.