Networks of (In)exclusion: How Networks govern Wilhelmsburgs Majority-Minority Population

Kim Knipprath

doi:10.17645/si.8348

Abstract

The article examines the aftermath of the 'Leap over the River Elbe' urban development project in the majority-minority district Wilhelmsburg, located in the south of Hamburg, Germany.The article introduces a novel typology of socialnetworks: (1) networks as technologies of control, (2) networks of resistance, and (3) networks of resilience.Drawing on archival research and interviews with 20 Wilhelmsburgresidents,the study reveals the different roles of networks in the context of neoliberal urbanism. First, the Leap over the Elbe projecthas been emblematic for anelitist top-down strategy to mobilize local networkswith the aim to reestablish control over the Wilhelmsburg district. This has been facilitated through social mix policies designed to resettle the affluent middle class without migration background into the district. Second, protests of grassroot organized resistance networks havefragmented the initiative, forcing the Hamburg government to adapt its neoliberal agenda to the local context. Finally, local networks have been sources of resilience that haveleveragedlocal resources for well-being in the face of social shifts, sometimes ironically facilitated by neoliberal policies themselves.By delving into the complexities of network governance in the context of urban development and social inclusion, this article contributes to a nuanced understanding of the interplay between city state and local networks. It argues for a critical reassessment of how urban planning interventions and local networks can both constrain and empower marginalized communities. The studyhighlights the need for more equitable and participatory approaches to urban governance, challenging the efficacy of current social inclusion strategies.<span class="EOP SCXW217603911 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}">

Full Text