A grounded theory approach to development suitability analysis

摘要

Responding to extant power imbalances in the typical redevelopment process, grounded theory is introduced to aid in recalibrating development suitability models to serve the interests of underrepresented communities resisting development. Using a community-based research model, this paper reports on testing the potential of grounded theory in a low-income, primarily Latino neighborhood of Chelsea, Massachusetts (USA). After 13 iterations and a ground-truthing exercise, the research resulted in a development suitability model that offers a useful heuristic for community leaders to view development likelihood - an innovation over the conventional development suitability model by directly incorporating community issues in the model calibration