Community Development Plans as a policy public for social transformation. The experiences of Barcelona (1997-2015)

Abstract

This paper explores the deployment of Community Development Plans (CDP) as a public policy in the city of Barcelona (period 1997 – 2015).
We discuss how CDP have contributed to social transformation from a threefold perspective: shaping policies, improving the living conditions, and redefining power relations. At the same time, an analysis of the relevant factors contributing to the evolution of different cases is undertaken.
Methodologically, the study is based on articles reviewing, ethnography and qualitative methods.
Findings indicate that the role-played by the local authorities and non-municipal community workers teams can be an enabling factor to generate citizens and public’s synergies based on cooperation and territorial proximity.
CDP have contributed to the development of projects affecting the living conditions and have increased the effectiveness of civil services, relying on proximity.
Only in exceptional cases, CDP have contributed to the design of new policies and major urban transformations.
A final discussion about the limits of institutional support-based CDP in critical awareness and empowerment promotion is developed.