Facilitating the Production of Place-Based Knowledge for Participatory Community Development in Rural Pennsylvania

Abstract

Place-based knowledge is best actualized through the vehicle of inclusive, participatory processes intended for community improvement. This report is a case study of the production of place-based knowledge in the context of public participation, planning for revitalization, and “asset-based” development in three rural Pennsylvania communities: Selinsgrove, Sunbury and Danville. The study addresses the questions, “How can local communities contribute to place-sensitive development in rural places?” and “What are the outcomes of adult and child participation in community-based projects?” The paper reviews the projects’ phases and methods for engaging each town’s population in identifying and prioritizing issues for revitalization, and reflects on the outcomes of each town’s participation and the implications of place-generated knowledge for community development practice.