From plan to reality: Implementing a community vision in Jackson Square, Boston

Research on collaborative planning has mainly focused on visioning stages, while little attention has been paid to the implementation of the resulting plans. This paper explores the challenges and opportunities facing the implementation of collaborative neighborhood redevelopment, given the context set by neoliberal political economy and its particular effects in urban governance. The exploration is conducted through a critical analysis of the redevelopment of Jackson Square, a low-income area in Boston where community development corporations are leading redevelopment after a vision was crafted through a participatory planning process. Through the analysis of the changes in the plan and the role of the community, the nonprofit sector and the local state in the implementation phase, this research argues that the effects of responsibilization are seriously burdening the nonprofit sector, which may be acting as a buffer between the community and the local state. The research also highlights the importance of addressing financial feasibility during the visioning phases and keeping the community engaged during the implementation of the plans.