COMMUNITY-LED URBAN REGENERATION: A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT IN LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS

Abstract

Urban regeneration efforts have historically prioritized economic and physical renewal over community inclusion, often leading to gentrification and displacement of low-income residents. This study advocates for a community-led approach to urban regeneration as a means of fostering equitable development in marginalized neighborhoods. Drawing on case studies from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Surabaya (Indonesia), and Manila (Philippines), the paper explores how participatory planning, local governance collaboration, and grassroots capacity-building contribute to more inclusive urban transformation. It highlights the importance of legal safeguards, community organizing, and decentralization in enabling residents to co-create their environments. Findings suggest that when communities lead regeneration efforts, outcomes are more sustainable, culturally relevant, and socially just. The paper concludes by proposing a policy framework for institutionalizing community-led regeneration in Southeast Asian urban governance.