Urban Community Action Planning Inspires Teenagers to Transform Their Community and Their Identity

Laurie Ross, University of Massachusetts System
Mardia Coleman, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

Abstract

This paper discusses the way a participatory community development technique, Urban Community Action Planning (UCAP), transformed a group of city teenagers into community planners. This teen group, Teen Inspirators, On the Move, formed in response to a community need for more youth activities and programming. This need was identified during a Community Planning Initiative sponsored by the Oak Hill Community Development Corporation located in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Teen Inspirators committed themselves to revitalizing their community and changing their own image in the neighborhood. Participatory planning techniques gave youth the voice, power, and tools to accomplish these goals. © 2000 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.