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

Abstract

In many cities, there has been renewed interest over the last 30 years 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 environmental 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 heavily impacted: if densification projects are not designed to the needs of people who are actually supposed to benefit from it—the residents—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.

Keywords:

• Densification
• new institutionalism
• housing
• social sustainability
• gentrification

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 Federal Act on Spatial Planning (SPA) of 22 June 1979 (CC 700).

2 All quotes have been translated from German by the authors.

3 Zurich Municipal Constitution of November 24, 2013 (MC 101.100).

4 Swiss Civil Code of December 10,1907 (CC 210).

5 Federal Act on the Amendment of the Swiss Civil Code (Obligations Code; OC) of 30 March 1911 (CC 220).

6 Basel-City Local Zoning Act of November 17,1999 (LZA 730.100).

7 In reality, the legal basis that would legitimize such an intervention is very slim.

8 Special land use zones are designated to areas of increased public interest in which spatial development can take place outside the regular zoning plan.