Planning for social sustainability: mechanisms of social exclusion in densification through large-scale redevelopment projects in Swiss cities

Debrunner, Gabriela; Jonkman, Arend; Gerber, Jean-David (2022). Planning for social sustainability: mechanisms of social exclusion in densification through large-scale redevelopment projects in Swiss cities. Housing studies, 39(1), pp. 146-167. Taylor & Francis 10.1080/02673037.2022.2033174

Text Debrunner_et_al._2022_-_Planning_for_social_sustainability.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (1MB)

In many cities, there has been renewed interest over the last 30years in densification as part of wider efforts to combat urban sprawl. In daily practice, however, densification is a contested process because of its redistributive effects. Next to potential envi- ronmental advantages, it produces both benefits and losses for different individuals and households. The redistributive effects are an expression of conflicts between environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability. We show that the latter is heav- ily impacted: if densification projects are not designed to the needs of people who are actually supposed to benefit from it—the res- idents—low-income groups are at risk of social displacement. This scenario is highly unsustainable. By using a neo-institutional approach and comparative case study methodology conducted in Switzerland, we analyze the institutional rules and the involved actors’ strategies when dealing with densification projects. We explain the mechanisms leading to the loss of social qualities when competing with economic interests of investors and authorities.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

13 since deposited on 28 Mar 2022
4 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item