The Effects of a Formal Citizen Participation Program on Involvement in the Planning Process: A Case Study of Portland, Oregon

This article explores the formal program of citizen participation in planning in Portland, Oregon. The program implements several of the most important recommendations made by advocates of more effective participation. This analysis covers the extent to which participation is equitably distributed across the city and whether shifts in the level of mayoral support affect participation. The program does appear to equalize the capacity to participate, compensating for socioeconomic variations, with the exception of one area where neighborhood associations have historically been weak.