Summary:

Citizen participation methods in municipal planning processes are central to creating an inclusive and sustainable society. Strand municipality is undergoing the process of creating a spatial plan for 2023-2035, in which they have set a goal to develop a neighborhood center in every populated neighborhood. A neighborhood center, in this context, is the geographical area that the municipality defines as the center of a given neighborhood, as opposed to locality-based service centers. This thesis provides insights for municipalities and spatial planners on developing neighborhood centers using qualitative and quantitative research methods. It draws on eight group interviews conducted with local councils, organizations, and underrepresented or vulnerable groups about neighborhood development, and on a survey of the general public conducted as a form of citizen participation. The findings are discussed in relation to perceived accessibility, social exclusion theory, and municipal planning processes. A key finding is that citizens with limited mobility capabilities are most in need of neighborhood centers, and most likely to utilize them.