Boston City Councillor Tito Jackson is expected to call on the City Council to explore ways to empower Boston residents to choose public projects in their own neighborhoods.
A system called “participatory budgeting” allows for private citizens to propose, advise and finally select neighborhood improvement projects. The program, already in cities such as Chicago and New York City, as well others in Africa, Europe, Asia and South America, promotes civic engagement and government transparency.
Jackson said in a release that participatory budgeting would allow for the citizens of Boston, who know their communities best, to express the needs of their neighborhoods in a public forum. In other cities, these projects have included street resurfacing, public art, bike paths, playgrounds and business incubators.
“It’s my and my colleague’s responsibility to hold the government accountable to the people of Boston,” Jackson said. “Participatory budgeting is just one more path to civic engagement, as it promotes transparency, facilitates goodwill and truly brings City Hall to the communities of Boston.”
