Power, politics, and community development

Across the US, vulnerable communities have been adversely affected by large-scale development led by universities, hospitals, and medical facilities. More often than not, much of the tension around university or hospital expansion has been around traffic congestion, rising land, and housing costs, displacement of lower income individuals, gentrification, and environmental pollution. Using interviews, focus groups, archival data and observant participation, this article analyzes how Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) and other nonprofit community-based organization partners were able to form a public-private partnership with local hospitals, medical facilities, and research organizations that led to a community-focused workforce development and community benefits program in Boston. In addition, this case study demonstrates how Boston became one of the first cities in the country to link development to community-based outcomes and investments aimed at helping some of Boston's most disadvantaged and vulnerable residents.