Democracy Deferred

The day after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, civic leaders began to organize four coalitions that aimed to give ordinary citizens a chance to meet, to heal, and to be heard in rebuilding decisions. This book tells the inside story of the civic renewal movement they founded.

“In Democracy Deferred, David W. Woods relates a story of civic engagement from his personal perspective as a participant observer. … This book … raise the important strategic question about how citizens can influence decision making in representative democracy. … most appropriate for graduate students in urban planning who are focused on a career in civic engagement as well as those studying urban sociology.” (Lynne B. Sagalyn, Journal of Planning Education and Research, Vol.38 (1), March, 2018) 'David Woods lays out an insightful insider's view of the extraordinary efforts by New York's civic and community leaders to engage the public in plans for rebuilding Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Woods' compelling, clearly written account provides scholars and citizens with a new understanding of strategies civic leaders can use to put the public back in the public process.' - Robert D. Yaro, President, Regional Plan Association and Former Chair, Civic Alliance to Rebuild Downtown New York

'Woods has written a very important book on the civic processes that emerged in the wake of 9/11 to help shape the rebuilding of downtown Manhattan. Democracy Deferred is the broadest and richest study the academy has, and the only comprehensive book-length treatment that includes various civic components, coalitions and community organizations that made up the civic renewal movement. The book analyzes and inspires, but in no way romanticizes, andits value is in showing us the range of ways that citizens and professionals can engage democratically, as well as the complex obstacles they face.' Carmen Sirianni, Morris Hillquit Professor of Labor and Social Thought at Brandeis University

DAVID W. WOODS Sociologist and urban planner who specializes in urban and political sociology, global civic engagement, contemporary social movements, and urban planning. He also serves as principal of GreenWoods Associates, a consulting firm specializing in citizen participation, and urban and regional planning processes.