Finding Our Way: Urban Waterway Restoration and Participatory Processes

Authors

Sharon Moran, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at the SUNY College of Environment Science and Forestry
Meredith Perreault, Formerly Project leader for the Onondaga Creek Conceptual Revitalization Plan OEI and now Executive Director for the Roosevelt Wildlife Station at SUNY/ESF
Richard Smardon, Professor of Environmental Studies, SUNY/ESF and project working group facilitator

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7275/fabos.721

Publication Date

2013

Abstract

In this paper, we explore some of the challenges encountered in organizing multiple stakeholders for purposes of revitalizing 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. Several of the popular models for engaging stakeholders in waterways projects are discussed, especially as they have been used communities in other parts of the U.S. that have faced related challenges. 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.

Recommended Citation

Moran, Sharon; Perreault, Meredith; and Smardon, Richard (2013) "Finding Our Way: Urban Waterway Restoration and Participatory Processes," Proceedings of the Fábos Conference on Landscape and Greenway Planning: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 22.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7275/fabos.721
Available at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fabos/vol4/iss1/22