This paper looks at the concept of partnership in the context of raising local community involvement in the urban redevelopment of depressed areas. Specifically, it offers a case study examination of the development of partnership arrangements in Belfast using evidence from the Greater Shankill area of the city. The developments in Greater Shankill have been used as a basis for adoption throughout the city as an example of good practice. Moreover, the operationalisation of the partnership arrangements in the area has been achieved in a way which raises popular participation in decision-making whilst minimising some of the principle problems, such as conflict with directly elected representatives, which have arisen in previous initiatives.