The influence of participative co-production use for urban public-space regeneration on residents' perceptions of life satisfaction and social cohesion

Participative co-production is widely used for urban regeneration, yet little research has been conducted to assess whether it achieves project/policy aims or benefits residents over the long term. This article revisits disadvantaged areas in northeastern France that implemented participative co-production for urban-regeneration projects a decade ago under the Politique de la Ville. Our aims were to determine whether the participative co-production climate introduced at that time endures today, whether it has influenced residents' quality of life (life satisfaction) and social cohesion, and whether community engagement enhanced these outcomes. We found that, overall, life satisfaction improved over prior regional levels and equaled current national levels, but neither the current climate nor community engagement independently influenced it. Social cohesion was highest in areas with a climate of sustained success in using participative co-production, and climate interacted with community engagement to influence social cohesion. Residents who were engaged in projects contextualized by a declining co-production climate felt the lowest levels of social cohesion; engaged residents who enjoyed a sustained co-production climate reported the highest levels of social cohesion. The findings suggest participative co-production endured long term in these areas to meet the project/policy aims of improved life satisfaction, social cohesion, and resident participation, but social cohesion may have been adversely influenced by the political climate. Professionals contemplating the use of participative co-production should consider its possible negative outcomes beyond immediate project or policy aims.