Social impacts of citizen participation in service development. A case study from a Finnish urban neighbourhood

This study aims at further strengthen the statements about a positive correlation between citizen participation and well-being of a neighbourhood. Service co-creation, social impacts and the sense of community of a neighbourhood are key focus areas of the study. By examining our case neighbourhood - a Finnish urban suburb from the 1970s - we found evidence to claim that it can be highly important to, by different means, support services which increase social activities and interactions, and which thereby decrease social risks. With the support of our case study we argue that three key elements are necessary for the co-operation and service co-creation to evolve: first, availability of facilities and open places where people can meet and change ideas, second, collaboration and informal meetings and third, a key person who is eager to bring individuals and groups together, implement actions and take risks.