To reduce social inequalities in participation, this project researches how public professionals can tailor citizen participation approaches by taking into account differences in citizens’ social, economic and cultural capital. We focus on two neighbourhoods in Rotterdam that experiment with innovation in neighbourhood participation and governance.
About this research
Existing attempts to tackle inequalities in participation in neighbourhood governance focus on increasing citizens’ economic and social capital. However, recent research shows that cultural capital also is crucial for the (un)willingness to participate. Therefore, we research the interaction between different types of capital in participation. We combine design-oriented methods with an action research approach, involving in-depth understanding of the perspectives of hard-to-reach groups, fostering innovative, out-of-the-box theorizing, practical applicability and societal impact. Crucially, instead of focusing on how citizens could adapt to extant institutional contexts, we develop the tools for public professionals to tailor the citizen participation approach.
How does our research make an impact?
The project contributes to both scientific and societal impact by developing tailored participation approaches and testing the practical applicability of a comprehensive participation theory. Direct impact is generated through design-oriented, action research methods that actively connect different actors from society, public sector and science. Long-term impact is created by bringing the different partners together in a shared and structural program to collaborate on the pressing issue of inequality and participation in neighbourhood governance.
We aim to inform local and national policy via policy briefs and presentations on ‘tailoring participation’ at large events like Dag van de Participatie. Also, we develop a strategy for upscaling towards other cities together with Berenschot. We will support public professionals on how to design and execute tailored participation processes via in-company workshops and by developing a (neighbourhood) governance toolkit with instruments to realize tailored participation.
Vivian Visser, MSc.Post-doc researcher, project manager
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Prof. dr. Arwin van BuurenAcademic director, member sounding board (SB)
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Prof. dr. Kim PuttersAcademic director, member SB
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Prof. dr. Willem de KosterSupervisor
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Dr. Lieke OldenhofSupervisor
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Energy transition in Rotterdam
In this video Arwin van Buuren, Jitske van Popering-Verkerk and Vivian Visser summarize the findings and recommendations of their research into the energy transition in Rotterdam. They discuss the need to differentiate in participation approaches (see minute 7.24-8.50).
In this project we collaborate with professionals from GovernEUR, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water (Kennisknooppunt Participatie), Berenschot, Kenniswerkplaats Leefbare Wijken and the City of Rotterdam.