Collective Action in Urban Renewal Projects

Urban renewal initiatives require the involvement of various parties with differing interests, and their success is dependent on the management processes of the overall stakeholder system, as well as collaboration between the parties involved. The stakeholder system is constantly evolving, and the objectives and roles of the actors may change over time. To promote consent and decision-making, effective action strategies require the dissemination of knowledge to homeowners and other relevant stakeholders. The collective knowledge of all parties involved is crucial to the success of the project. There are various methods of knowledge transfer available. Several companies in Israel and around the word have developed technological platforms to facilitate urban renewal processes and promote knowledge sharing among stakeholders. Their objective is to redefine the relationships between the parties involved and enhance the flow of information. The chapter highlights the complexity of managing the multiplayer system involved in urban renewal projects and presents a case study of a large-scale urban renewal initiative in a disadvantaged neighborhood of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. The project was initiated by the Clinic for Housing Rights and Urban Renewal at the Faculty of Law, Tel Aviv University—an academic-professional body, with a social and pedagogical vision, that sought to give legal assistance to residents in the neighborhood, addressing safety issues caused by structural defects in their buildings.