Agents of Neighborhood Change

Abstract

This chapter looks into the agents of neighborhood change. It elaborates on how the processes of neighborhood change are fragmented, variable, and unstable. Although city government is not always the dominant actor in the neighborhood policy system, it is almost always a factor. Local governments, community development corporations, neighborhood associations, and other agents of change engage in intentional actions to stabilize or revive neighborhoods. The chapter also considers anchor institutions and private corporations as agents of change that sustain and rebuild neighborhoods. It mentions the challenge of equity and accountability in the networked governance model due to the power imbalance between agents and other players in the system.