Paper short abstract:

Community Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) model, grounded in the principle of 'experiential learning' aims to democratize knowledge.This initiative, posited in neighborhoods constructs distinctive discourse about the urbanization and builds Inclusive, Sustainable, and Just cities.

Paper long abstract:

Drawing upon Professor Arjun Appadurai's essay "Right To Research" (2004) Community Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) model, grounded in the principle of 'experiential learning' aims to democratize knowledge, thus challenging the mode of knowledge creation, profiles of the creators and ownership of such knowledge. Through multiple epistemologies of knowledge creation, this process empowers communities within cities with research capacities thus engaging them in exploring sustainable solutions through evidenced based practices.

The conceptual framework is based upon privileging indigenous knowledge located within youth, and her community (Asset Based) helping them to build new knowledge in any format that suits their capacity and creativity. Youth while conducting the research is simultaneously the learner and a knowledge producer. This method exposes youth to the existing social hierarchies like class, religion, gender, caste and ethnicity where they are victims as well as perpetrators and this knowledge enables them to become game-changers for their communities. Bottom up process of research supports acquisition of granular knowledge and right to the tools of knowledge brings the marginalized non citizens it the realm of informed citizenship and exercise their Right to the City! .

This initiative, posited in their neighborhoods and rooted in their living experiences, constructs distinctive discourse about the urbanization processes and the that can contribute to building inclusive, sustainable, and Just cities.