The Jamaica Now Leadership Council: A Study of Stakeholder Participation in the Revitalization of Downtown Jamaica, Queens

<p>Urban revitalization in the United States has often been characterized by uneven community development, where marginalized communities bear the costs while receiving limited benefits. This dissertation examines how the dynamics of stakeholder participation impacts the practice of Community Economic Development (CED), focusing on the Jamaica Now Leadership Council (JNLC) as a case study. Formed to oversee the Jamaica Now Neighborhood Action Plan, the JNLC represents a model of inclusive, stakeholder-driven urban development aimed at addressing historical disinvestment and promoting equitable economic growth in Downtown Jamaica, Queens.</p> <p>The study explores how power dynamics, stakeholder histories, and role expectations shape participation in CED initiatives. Drawing from theories of participation, power, and empowerment, this research analyzes the factors influencing community involvement and their implications for the process of sustainable and equitable development outcomes. The findings highlight the critical role of co-production, where communities collaborate with government and private actors, fostering empowerment and ownership over community development projects. However, the study also identifies limitations in stakeholder participation, including power imbalances and misalignments between expectations and actual roles.</p> <p>By bridging theoretical insights with empirical analysis, this dissertation contributes to a deeper understanding of stakeholder participation in CED practices, offering recommendations for fostering inclusive stakeholder engagement, addressing power asymmetries, and achieving sustainable community empowerment. The insights gained from the JNLC case study inform policy and practice, providing a framework for replicating successful community-driven development strategies in other urban contexts.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Social Welfare

Grantor

The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York

Year dc:date.available

2025

Author dc:creator

• Miller, Melva M

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• James M. Mandiberg

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Bin Chen
• Celina Su
• Nancy Giunta

• Economic Policy
• Growth and Development
• Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation
• Public Administration
• Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration
• Public Policy
• Real Estate
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Social Justice
• Social Welfare
• Social Work
• Community Economic Development (CED)
• Jamaica Now Leadership Council (JNLC)
• Stakeholder Participation
• Downtown Jamaica Queens
• Power Dynamics in Urban Revitalization
• Inclusive Urban Development Models

Repository record dc:identifier

https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/6097

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:academicworks.cuny.edu:gc_etds-7218