[2][3] In 1915, Robert E. Park and E. W. Burgess introduced the idea of "neighborhood" as an ecological concept with urban planning implications.
[5] City planners have used this process to combat a range a social problems such as community disintegration, economic marginalization, and environmental degradation.
To define the goals of the plan, public participation of local residents and stakeholders is often considered central.
Many strategies may be used to involve neighborhood residents in the planning process and outreach methods may be used to generate interest.
Successful neighbourhood plans typically seek to deliver community wishes in ways that are supported by the underpinning evidence.
Neighbourhood Development Plans must pass certain Basic Conditions to the satisfaction of an independent examiner before advancing to a local referendum.
[9] A community right to build order is "a particular type of neighbourhood development order", established by the Localism Act, enabling a "community organisation ... established for the express purpose of furthering the social, economic and environmental well-being of individuals living, or wanting to live, in a particular area" to take a lead role in planning the development of a locality or neighbourhood.
There is particular concern regarding the potential capture of the public into the sphere of influence of governance stakeholders, leaving communities frustrated by participatory initiatives.
[12] In England, where communities may produce statutory Neighbourhood Development Plans, evidence has shown that neighborhood planning has promoted sustainability and social purpose in the housing market,[13] however it has also been critiqued for concentrating too heavily on housing growth at the expense of community empowerment.