Abstract: Examining the relationship between residential committees and residents, this paper builds a ladder model of resident participation with eight levels, i.e., being an onlooker, being demanded, trying to enter, being accepted, entering "inside", being autonomous, leading and keeping balance. This model reveals the development of resident participation from passive participation to cooperative participation and then to autonomous participation. Based on intersubjective relationship, the participation ladder of Chinese local residents is different from the power-centered model of foreign countries. Behind the slow development of resident participation ladder is the logical paradox between grassroots governance and community autonomy. In China's national conditions, resident participation may eventually lead to a "balanced" participation stage, which will provide a certain reference for future development of resident participation in urban communities.

Key words: urban community, resident participation, ladder of resident participation