Confrontation, consultation, cooperation? Community groups and urban change in Canadian port-city waterfronts

The process of urban waterfront change in port cities is influenced by a wide range of factors, and the roles of urban planners, port authorities and property developers are often moderated by those of community groups. Using established methodology based on structured tape-recorded interviews with group representatives, this paper explores the attitudes and character of a range of such groups in a series of contrasted Canadian port cities. The outcomes show substantial but varying influence and, although many activities and perceptions are place-specific, a widespread awareness of global as well as local issues is revealed.