This dissertation is based on the premise that residents of urban communities offer a perspective that is relevant for the formation of programs and policy that desire to address the challenges associated with the urban environment. This study specifically explores the perspectives of Southbridge's residents, a low-income minority urban community located in Wilmington, Delaware, whose community is presently targeted for urban redevelopment and revitalization. It seeks to reveal how residents comprehend their community's assets and challenges and how they interact with external stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. Although the perspectives of Southbridge's residents and the condition of the community are unique, this study highlights the dynamic between residents and those who seek to intervene on behalf of low-income minority urban residents, which may be found in similar neighborhoods.

The findings from this case study suggest that: (1) The majority of interviewed residents view their community's assets and challenges based on their personal experiences and history; (2) there are differences in perspective about redevelopment and revitalization among residents, including those who participate in community organizations and those who do not participate in community organizations; (3) the majority of interviewed residents, participants and non-participants, do not feel empowered or included in the process of redevelopment and revitalization; and (4) the majority of residents interviewed for this study believe that redevelopment and revitalization threaten not only the community's lower-income residents but also the historic demographic composition of the community. The study reveals that Southbridge's residents presently experience gentrification pressure from public and private revitalization initiatives because of the exclusionary manner in which these initiatives operate and underlying issues related to race and class. Recommendations are addressed to existing community organizations, the community's external developers, agencies and organizations, the community's existing residents and those interested in urban research and policy. The limitations of this study and suggestions for future research are discussed in the dissertation's concluding chapter.