Arnstein's Ladder

Arnstein’s Ladder is a model that describes levels of citizen participation in decision-making processes. It ranges from non-participation (where residents have no influence) to full citizen control (where they manage and make decisions). Middle rungs include consultation (seeking opinions without guaranteed influence) and partnership (sharing power through negotiation). The ladder helps illustrate how genuine engagement varies, emphasizing that higher levels involve real empowerment, while lower levels are more about token participation or being passive observers. It’s a useful tool for understanding and improving how communities involve residents in shaping policies and projects.