Empowering Wisconsin Communities from Within: Harnessing Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) for Sustainable, Locally-Driven Progress

Abstract

Traditionally, community development has followed a top-down approach in which decisions are made by city officials without adequate input from the people most directly affected by the outcomes. While well-intentioned, this approach often results in solutions that are not fully aligned to the local context or needs. Our Wisconsin communities deserve better. Using a case study methodology, this paper explores how Wisconsin communities can use an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) framework to better achieve sustainable, locally-driven progress. In particular, this research found that successful communities use ABCD to leverage seven unique capitals: natural, cultural, human, social, political, financial, and built. Ultimately, this study underscores the transformative potential of ABCD for community development by demonstrating that thoughtful attention to the seven capitals can pave the way towards a more inclusive, empowered, and sustainable future for Wisconsin Communities.