Collective Action in Local Development: The Case of Angus Technopole in Montreal (1)‪.‬

Abstract The study of an industrial reconversion site in Montreal brings the authors to look at the question of local economic development from a new perspective, issued from social movements, resource mobilization and collective action theories. In Montreal, in districts devitalized by industrial relocation, social movements have integrated the struggle for the sustainability of local communities into their repertoire of collective actions. Social movements have been the initiators of strategic choices that aim to preserve existing assets, in terms of jobs and services, of local communities. In such a context, local development appears to be a process launched by local actors who mobilize resources of various kinds and from various sources to ensure that these strategies are implemented through concrete economic investment projects. The Angus case study demonstrates that the capacity of social movements to maintain a strong leadership and be a part of the implementation process is crucial in order to keep in line with the original strategic objectives. This case study shows the characteristics of a new type of community initiative which combines endogenous and community development with business oriented projects.