Guest editorial: Ageing during times of change: community, social infrastructure and social exclusion

The role of community-led organisations in creating social infrastructure for the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged populations: a qualitative study

The earlier chapters of this book presented new evidence on the extent of social exclusion, the dynamics of incomes and earnings, intergenerational transmission of disadvantage, and area deprivation. Later ones looked in detail at some key policy areas related to this evidence: reducing child poverty; responses to unemployment, disability, and income security in old age; education; and the role of community, or ‘social infrastructure’.

Next to their traditional role as places for information provision and knowledge transmission, public libraries increasingly also function as important social infrastructures contributing to the everyday life in cities. As such, they can help to address systemic challenges such as social fragmentation, loneliness, exclusion and precarity. However, the library not merely is a social infrastructure, but becomes one each operating day through continuous labour by a network of stakeholders. This paper specifically examines library staff and their routinised practices to provide, perform and maintain the library as social infrastructure. The empirical research was carried out in four public libraries in the Netherlands and focussed on staff members who were in a 1-year post-graduate programme to become a community librarian, and their close colleagues. It consisted of two phases: first librarians were shadowed at work, followed by a focus group interview on the multiple problems librarians encounter to (re)make their library into social infrastructures. These include coping with limited space, collaborating with other institutions, difficulties to reach out to the community, financial struggles and differentiating interpretations of the library’s primary function.

Обгрунтовано, що для економічного зростання дуже важливо визначити резерви збільшення соціального і трудового потенціалів, а також активізації суб’єктів соціально-трудових відносин для мобілізації наявних резервів. Запропоновано оцінювати резерви зростання та рівень розвитку соціального і трудового потенціалів за допомогою їх інтегрального показника. Показано, що його розрахунок здійснюється за допомогою системи показників та індикаторів виміру за такими складовими: демографічна, здоров’я та санітарний стан населення, матеріальна забезпеченість, соціально-трудова сфера, зокрема, зайнятість та соціально-трудові відносини, освіта, культура, інформаційно-комунікативні послуги, соціальна згуртованість та єдність, соціальні ризики та соціальне виключення, соціальна інфраструктура.Розкрито, що використання факторного аналізу дозволило оцінити кількісний вплив усіх складових елементів на інтегральний показник соціального і трудового потенціалів. Розраховано резерви зростання для чинників, які гальмують їх розвиток. Показано, що загальні обсяги резерву можуть становити близько половини інтегрального показника соціального і трудового потенціалів.Виявлено, що найвагоміші резерви зосереджено в підсистемах «Соціальна інфраструктура», «Соціальна згуртованість та єдність» і «Зайнятість». За кожною складовою деталізовано чинники, які найбільшою мірою визначають резерви за умови їх активізації та мобілізації. Розкрито, що реалізація заходів з використання резервів збільшення соціального потенціалу пов’язана з поліпшенням соціально-економічної ситуації, забезпеченням політичної свободи, формуванням серед населення політичної та громадської активності. Доведено, що резерви розвитку трудового потенціалу забезпечуються завдяки посиленню якості робочої сили, що безпосередньо пов’язано з освітою, збільшенню витрат на освіту за всіма джерелами фінансування, підвищенню рівня пенсійного забезпечення та зменшенню злочинності, зниженню рівня інвалідності та старіння населення, зменшенню навантаження на 1 робоче місце, забезпеченню підвищення рівня зайнятості, скороченню зайнятості в неформальному секторі, неповної зайнятості, зменшенню тяжкості виробничого травматизму.

Purpose This paper aims to review policies on urban regeneration and renewal and their benefits for older people in tackling social exclusion. Design/methodology/approach The paper provides a review of relevant policies on community development and urban regeneration since the 1970s, with a particular focus on New Labour policies relating to social exclusion. Subsequent developments in neighbourhood-based policies over the past decade are also examined. The paper is based on an overview of the relevant evaluation literature and associated studies. Findings This paper reviews the history of neighbourhood-based urban regeneration programmes, in the context of a renewed focus on area-based initiatives around health, regeneration and child development. The evidence outlined suggests that older people have often been marginal to major urban programmes over the past three decades, proposing a new approach to developing neighbourhood-based programmes for older people. Practical implications The paper argues that a new neighbourhood-based strategy for urban regeneration must have the following elements: first, taking stock of previous initiatives and programmes; second, updating the framework provided by Sure Start for Later Life; third, supporting minority groups in tackling the housing crisis within urban communities; fourth, accelerating improvements in social infrastructure within communities; and fifth, developing new systems of neighbourhood governance which can empower residents. Social implications See practical implications. Originality/value The paper provides an assessment of the relevance for older people of three decades of policies designed to improve areas of multiple deprivation. The paper brings together a range of literature not hitherto presented in a single article.

"The solitude absorbs and it oppresses": 'Illegality' and its implications on Latino immigrant day laborers' social isolation, loneliness and health.

BackgroundOil is the mainstay revenue for a number of African countries. However, extraction can result in multiple impacts on the health and wellbeing of communities living in oil-rich areas. This review explored evidence of oil industry-related social exclusion on community health and wellbeing on the African continent.MethodsWe used a systematic approach guided by PRISMA to search six databases for empirical and descriptive sources focused on oil industry impacts, in any African country, between 1960 to 2021. Findings were grouped according to four dimensions of the Social Exclusion Knowledge Network (SEKN) framework: political, social, economic, and cultural.ResultsFifteen articles were identified, of which 13 articles focused on Nigeria; while one focused on Sudan, and one on Côte d'Ivoire and South Africa. Evidence relating to political aspects of social exclusion encompassed marginalization of indigenous communities through land grabs and unequal representation in political decision making. Limited compensation for environmental damage and livelihood displacement caused by oil-extraction, and high rates of unemployment and poverty were key themes of the economic dimension. Evidence of social impacts included lack of government, or oil-industry investment in social infrastructure; poor health and wellbeing linked to land, air, and water pollution; homelessness and lack of social cohesion. The cultural dimension of social exclusion was comparatively underexplored and only six sources included data collection with indigenous residents, and comparatively more sources were written by non-citizens or non-residents of oil-industry affected areas. Major themes included impacts on collective identity, ways of life and values, particularly where loss of ownership or access to land was experienced.ConclusionOil industry activities in African countries are clearly associated with multiple exclusionary impacts. However, the narrow body of empirical research limits understanding of the lived experiences and management of social exclusion by residents of oil-rich areas themselves and is an area deserving of further attention.

Abstract: The aging of societies represents one of the most significant challenges of the 21st century, generating a need to adapt to social, healthcare, and logistical infrastructure. Previous analyses of issues related to the social security of older adults have primarily focused on systemic aspects, marginalizing the role of supply logistics as a crucial link in social infrastructure. The research niche of this article is the analysis of the impact of supply logistics on the social security of older adults and the assessment of the potential for integrating logistics with the concept of universal urban planning. The aim of the study was to determine the importance of supplying logistics for the quality of life of seniors and to analyze the effectiveness of new logistics technologies in the context of a progressively aging population. The article presents the following hypotheses: (H1) Supply logistics positively affects the quality of life of seniors by improving access to basic services; (H2) The integration of logistics with smart city structures reduces the risk of social exclusion among older adults; (H3) The ghettoization of senior services negatively affects the availability of social and healthcare resources; (H4) The phenomenon of double aging increases the demand for specialized logistics services; (H5) The application of two-tier logistics infrastructure is an effective way to address the challenges arising from demographic changes. The study employed theoretical methods, including a review of the relevant literature, international reports, and legal documents. The analysis was conducted from an interdisciplinary perspective, combining the theory of social security with logistics, the sociology of aging, and social policy. The findings confirm that well-organized supply logistics significantly improve the quality of life for older adults, particularly in terms of access to healthcare and social services. The integration of logistics with smart city technologies, despite certain digital barriers, positively influences the reduction of social exclusion among seniors. The negative impact of the ghettoization of senior services on their accessibility was also confirmed. The conclusions indicate the necessity of developing integrated logistics models that consider both physical and digital infrastructure, which will enable more effective responses to the needs of aging societies and prevent the marginalization of older adults.

Mental illness is associated with social exclusion and stigma more than most other health issues. This affects psychiatric facility provision (Chrysikou et al 2017), prevention and early treatment interventions. The planning and design of services both conceptually (service procedures, experience designs, campaigns and physically (e.g. buildings, products, interiors) could help change that. New approaches could build resilience by increasing access to and acceptance of mental health services and enable recovery as a constant process (Slade et al 2008). This intense skill- building workshop will use a role-game approach with cross-disciplinary methods from experience design and design thinking to foster innovative spatial concepts in a co-creative manner. This helps to build capacity and knowledge on exploring and developing innovative and disruptive concepts for public urban mental health. Focus is on spatial configuration, architectural and design aspects for services and mental health systems. The highly interactive seminar-workshop starts with two 5' presentations to set the theoretical multi-disciplinary stage. A third 5' presentation addresses issues addressed to the participants and presents the locus of the role play, i.e. Crete, chosen for its unique socio-spatial and systemic characteristics. A 5' presentation explains the scenario and stakeholder roles. The group session comprises a 50' long structured series of ideation and analysis methods based on a role-play-like schedule in which delegates act as service provider for a municipal client (Crete) that request an innovative mental health care solution for a specific urban context. Then 10' will be the closing session on the process by mapping the reflections of the process on a collective SWOT diagram. Chrysikou, E., Kostopoulou, E., Savvopoulou, E., Fatah gen. Schieck, A., 2017. Medical Architecture on the Social Valorisation of Psychiatric Patients: Employing transdisciplinary approaches between architecture, physical and mental well-being disciplines. Proceedings of the AAE 2017 Conference, Architecture Connects, 6th -9th September 2017. Oxford Brookes University, UK Slade, Mike; Amering, Michaela; Oades, Lindsay (2008): Recovery: an international perspective. In: Epidemiologia e psichiatria sociale 17 (2), S. 128-137. Key messages Participants will explore participatory design methodologies to help them consider and use building infrastructure as resource for public health and healthcare actions in relation to mental health. Participants will cross disciplinary boundaries exposed to eco- and psychosocial frameworks, i.e, build and social infrastructure, to co-create healthy, vibrant, resilient and equitable communities.

Social exclusion is a situation posing limitations to a particular individual or a group, or even disabling them to access public goods and social infrastructure and to acquire resources and income in a decent way. Unemployment is the situation when a part ofpeople who are able to work, look for a job and accept existing level of salaries, cannot find any employment. This phenomenon is seen the most clearly in eastern Poland, in the counties situated in the outskirts of Mazowieckie, Lubelskie, Swiqtokrzyskie and Podkarpackie voivodships. In turn, in best positions are the inhabitants of cities and their suburbs. When compared, differences of social exclusion and of development potential of rural areas show significant degree of spatial correlation of both phenomena. The areas of the highest unemployment are those of the lowest economic and infrastructural development indicator. Lower potential of development of these areas is an effect of lack of non-agricultural economic activities, which then translates into higher degree of social exclusion and poverty in theses areas.

Living in an informal settlement with a visual impairment can be very challenging resulting in social exclusion. Mobile phones have been shown to be hugely beneficial to people with sight loss in formal and high-income settings. However, little is known about whether these results hold true for people with visual impairment (VIPs) in informal settlements. We present the findings of a case study of mobile technology use by VIPs in Kibera, an informal settlement in Nairobi. We used contextual interviews, ethnographic observations and a co-design workshop to explore how VIPs use mobile phones in their daily lives, and how this use influences the social infrastructure of VIPs. Our findings suggest that mobile technology supports and shapes the creation of social infrastructure. However, this is only made possible through the existing support networks of the VIPs, which are mediated through four types of interaction: direct, supported, dependent and restricted.

The purpose of this presentation is to contribute to the debate around the nature of spatial inequality in Australian cities. It takes issue with the view that the extensive spatial form of Australian cities is a major element in the transmission of social disadvantage – a view which has gained currency in recent urban policy debates about “sprawl” vs consolidation. The assumption (in some quarters) that households located at, or moving to, the newly developing urban periphery, have been forced there through housing market processes in which they have had little choice; and further, that once there the lack of proximate resources, particularly in social infrastructure, reinforce the already disadvantaged social and economic circumstances of these households does not stand scrutiny. The coincidence of locational disadvantage and social disadvantage has been assumed rather than demonstrated, seemingly in an attempt to bolster arguments about the need to alter the predominant form of urban growth – outward e...

This article builds on the author’s master’s thesis in architecture ‘Shared domesticities: Social infrastructure as an auxiliary tool for mitigating discrimination based on socioeconomic status in public and semi-public space’, further investigating the impact of the lack of social infrastructure on the ability to meet fundamental human needs in public space on a case study of Prague. This is examined against the backdrop of punitive urban practices, through which neo-liberal ideologies protect their territories from economically unprofitable – thus undesirable – influences. The text underscores the discord between conceptualizations of public space usage, leading to the punishment of inherently benign activities essential to basic human needs, such as sleeping, drinking or excreting. The central focus revolves around the potential of architectural interventions to enhance the living conditions of unhoused people, offering them protection against punitive policies that disproportionately target those displaying visual signs associated with social disadvantage. Approaching this matter from an architecture and urban planning perspective, the thesis proposed the implementation of social infrastructure in the form of public kitchens and bathrooms situated within unbuilt urban spaces and existing public institutions. By leveraging these areas, the intent is to bridge the gap in services and support for vulnerable populations, offering environments that empower individuals to shield themselves from punitive measures grounded in socio-economic prejudice.

Social Exclusion and Gender-based Violence. Foreword from the Guest Editor

This paper outlines the uses of artificial intelligence in social and digital infrastructure, specifically in community development and stability. It informs the reader about the reasons behind inequality in urban planning, and how big data could be used to address these issues. Additionally, it highlights the current resistance towards artificial intelligence and highlights its potential applications in the future. Building the future of local economic growth and social inclusiveness in urban communities through artificial intelligence. This paper argues that artificial intelligence (AI) can facilitate local economic growth and social inclusion by helping governments and community groups to focus on integrated efforts to identify the needs of marginalized communities. In a world where many cities are struggling with economic disparity, social exclusion and the imperative to become more sustainable, AI can help to enact the changes needed to improve the lives of residents. The focus here is on local community-led initiatives that utilize data in a strategic way, but also employ AI to optimize resource allocation and plan for a more inclusive future. Applications include AI platforms that connect residents with jobs, social services and educational opportunities based on community needs. The paper shows how strategic and targeted AI implementation focusing on community needs can strengthen urban networks, reduce social divisions and help to create a more resilient social fabric.