Restoring streams, reshaping work: insights from Participatory Action Research in informal urban areas

Abstract Introduction Urban streams are often part of peripheral settlements, commonly trapped in negative social–ecological feedback, undermining habitat health and ecosystem resilience. Disrupting this loop requires integrating ecological rehabilitation approaches that actively engage local communities. Objectives This study aims to advance the ecological rehabilitation of urban streams exploring how Participatory Action Research (PAR) can co‐produce ecological and social innovations that inform inclusive restoration policies in vulnerable urban settings. Methods Together with workers of a grassroots organization who are beneficiaries of a national social employment program, we conducted three co‐production cycles to adapt, install, and test planted rolls. Furthermore, a factorial experiment tested the development of four native species ( Typha latifolia , Schoenoplectus californicus , Thalia multiflora , and Equisetum giganteum ) in pre‐soaked versus unsoaked sawdust substrates. Plant development was co‐monitored over 100 days, and field survival for 1 year. Growth and T 50 were estimated with mixed‐effects models (Conway–Maxwell–Poisson and zero‐inflated gamma) and establishment was evaluated via survival analysis. Results Implementation of a shared workbook and data collection yielded a standardized plant‐roll protocol and enabled participatory learning. Rooting time ( T 50 ) strongly predicted in‐stream plant establishment: T. multiflora rooted earliest (36.4 days) and achieved the highest survival; S. californicus and T. latifolia rooted similarly (≈77 days) but differed in allocation— S. californicus showed early foliar growth and lower survival, while T. latifolia had better establishment. Equisetum giganteum was poorly suited to the rolls. Conclusions The PAR approach enabled co‐production of ecological and social innovations, linking species performance with community learning and generating actionable knowledge to inform inclusive, labor‐based restoration policies in vulnerable urban areas.