Work

Operationalizing the Capabilities Approach to Understand Neighborhood Well-Being in a Participatory Action Research Study

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: The capabilities approach is useful for evaluating progress toward the just city. We report how a Participatory Action Research consortium studying neighborhood change and well-being designed a survey instrument measuring respondents’ ability to fulfill a set of common life priorities. We present data on priority endorsement and fulfillment, and conduct a factor analysis to explore the underlying structure of the instrument. We argue that the instrument operationalizes the capabilities approach and serves as a model for using participatory methods to evaluate the impact of planning interventions on social justice and health equity.

Source: Journal of Planning Education and Research

DOI: 10.1177/0739456x231204862

Authors: Andrew Binet, Noémie Sportiche, Vedette Gavin, Mariana C. Arcaya

Institutions: University of British Columbia, Harvard University, Conservation Law Foundation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Urban Planning and Governance

Subfield: Urban Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500