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

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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.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

08 Faculty of Science > Institute of Geography > Human Geography > Unit Political urbanism and sutainable spatial development
08 Faculty of Science > Institute of Geography > Human Geography
08 Faculty of Science > Institute of Geography
11 Centers of Competence > Center for Regional Economic Development (CRED)

UniBE Contributor:

Debrunner, Gabriela, Gerber, Jean-David

Subjects:

900 History > 910 Geography & travel
300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology > 360 Social problems & social services
500 Science > 550 Earth sciences & geology

ISSN:

0267-3037

Publisher:

Taylor & Francis

Language:

English

Submitter:

Louis Karl Zwyssig

Date Deposited:

28 Mar 2022 14:39

Last Modified:

17 Dec 2023 02:01

Publisher DOI:

10.1080/02673037.2022.2033174

Uncontrolled Keywords:

Densification; new institutionalism; housing; social sustainability; gentrification

BORIS DOI:

10.48350/166172

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/166172

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