The geographical configuration of a city is not an outcome of chance. Rather, it is the result of pressure from various dependent needs such as...
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The geographical configuration of a city is not an outcome of chance. Rather, it is the result of pressure from various dependent needs such as that of the federal and local government, investors, large-scale financial institutions and private investors. So many different groups of varying objectives take an interest in local politics because change is most visibly implemented at the local level, and it is these local levels of change that most directly impacts individual lives. While the political strife between local governments and private investors is a reoccurring cliché in the study of urban planning, the impact of citizen groups is often understated despite their growing role as molders of public policy and key participants in community development. Despite their growing influence, there are few studies available pertaining to the citizen’s involvement in local politics. This research focuses on a case study of a local citizens association, La Jolla Shores Tomorrow. This analysis aims to provide insight into the struggles of citizens associations in the politics of land use and planning as well as their growing influence in a sphere that had been previously dominated by the community elite. This study will contribute to the literature on citizen involvement and growing influence in community land-use politics. The results will be shared with local community leaders in hopes to encourage greater civic involvement.
