Socio-spatial Disparities and the Crisis: Swimming Pools as a Proxy of Class Segregation in Athens

Margherita Carlucci,Sabato Vinci,Giuseppe Ricciardo Lamonica,Luca Salvati

doi:10.1007/s11205-020-02448-y

Margherita Carlucci, Sabato Vinci + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-020-02448-y

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Abstract

Initially considered a ‘luxury’ good and now becoming a more popular and diffused landmark, the spatial distribution of residential swimming pools reflects the socio-spatial structure in Mediterranean cities, offering a kaleidoscopic overview of class segregation and economic disparities. The present study hypothesizes that economic downturns, resulting in alternative phases of social polarization and mixing, affect the spatial distribution of pools. To verify this assumption, the spatial distribution of pools in Athens, Greece—a city with evident social disparities and largely affected by the great recession—was analysed during the most recent expansion and recession. Results shed light on the spatial linkage between pool density, class segregation and dispersed urban expansion in a context of rising income disparities. The spatial distribution of swimming pools became increasingly polarized in the Athens’ metropolitan region. The spread of residential pools in wealthier districts suggests how recession has consolidated disparities between rich and poor neighbourhoods. Based on the empirical findings of this study, pools can be considered a proxy of increased socio-spatial disparities reflecting class segregation and economic polarization at the local scale.

Highlights

Urbanization forces reflecting complex socioeconomic processes at multiple spatial scales—from global to local—make investigation of the intrinsic linkage between metropolitan structures and social issues challenging (Bruegmann 2005; Hall and Pain 2006; Angel et al 2011; Li, Sun and Fang 2018)
Pool density was taken as a representative indicator of the spatial distribution of this landmark at the municipal scale
The interaction between different social classes has produced a spatial structure based on independent micro-entities and fragmented and heterogeneous “island” settlements characterized by class segregation at the local scale (Maloutas 2007; Kandylis et al 2012; Panori et al 2019) and a marked East–West divide at the regional scale (Leontidou 1996; Kourliouros 1997; Beriatos and Gospodini 2004; Salvati and Serra 2016)

Summary

Introduction

Urbanization forces reflecting complex socioeconomic processes at multiple spatial scales—from global to local—make investigation of the intrinsic linkage between metropolitan structures and social issues challenging (Bruegmann 2005; Hall and Pain 2006; Angel et al 2011; Li, Sun and Fang 2018). Specific forms of metropolitan growth—and, urban sprawl—have consolidated social disparities and class segregation (Arapoglou and Sayas 2009; Janoschka and Arreortua 2017; Frenkel and Israel 2018). Being considered a traditional suburban architecture (Salvati et al 2019), swimming pools are a key element of such landscapes (Sauri 2003; Domene et al.; 2005; Kallis 2010). In this perspective (private) swimming pools were often seen as a ‘landmark of social disparities’ In this perspective (private) swimming pools were often seen as a ‘landmark of social disparities’ (e.g. Kaika 2003; Domene and Sauri 2006; Cuadrado-Ciuraneta et al 2017)

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