Participatory Budgeting in NYC: Thinking Critically and Looking Forward

New York City is experiencing a new kind of democracy. Through participatory budgeting, residents of eight City Council districts deliberated and voted this year on how best to spend about $10 million of public money for capital projects in their districts. Can participatory budgeting help strengthen community infrastructure and residents’ own investment in their neighborhoods? In a city that spends tens of billions of dollars each year on capital projects, can the participatory approach be substantially scaled up? What are its limits?

Panelists: Josh Lerner, executive director, Participatory Budgeting Project Larian Angelo, vice president for administration and finance, The New Community College at CUNY Eve Baron, senior fellow for policy and planning, Pratt Center for Community Development Michael Freedman-Schnapp, policy director, Office of City Councilmember Brad Lander, 39th District Alexa Kasdan, director of research and policy, Urban Justice Center Melissa Mark-Viverito, member, New York City Council, 8th District

Moderated by: Jarrett Murphy, editor-in-chief, City Limits