Inclusion In Cities Research Articles

A Paradox of Inclusion in Cities: Homemaking of Refugees and Natives in Urban Space

AbstractIn this research, we aimed to explore a paradox of inclusion that emerges in the homemaking activities of refugees and natives. On one side, natives perceive threat from refugees and tend to preserve their home by excluding them from urban spaces. On the other side, refugees strive to make a new home and seek to regain homely feelings. Therefore, we examined inclusion both as an outcome variable (willingness for inclusion in the native context) and as a predictor (perceived inclusion in the refugee context). One distinctive aspect of this study is that both natives and refugees have comparably similar ethnocultural backgrounds (either Kurds or Arabs) re-encountered after the Syrian proxy war. A total of 421 natives (Study 1, Mage = 37.1, SD = 14.3; 50% women), and 889 refugees (Study 2, Mage = 36.59; SD = 12.51; 62% women) living in Mardin (a city in Turkey bordering Syria) were surveyed. Both groups of participants were asked about their daily life activities across places (dwelling, neighborhood, city center) as related to homemaking. In addition, natives were asked about the extent they perceived threat from, and ascribed social reputation to refugees, whereas refugees were asked about the extent they were satisfied with the urban life and spaces they felt homely. Our results highlight the importance of focusing on the inclusion paradox in the context of mobility (including forced migration), which generates a new disadvantaged layer in society even among people with similar ethnocultural backgrounds when one group is regarded as refugees and the other natives.

FROM DAVID HARVEY’S PERSPECTIVE: EXAMINATION OF ART, CITY AND CAPITALISM

Examining the transformations experienced in urban spaces in contemporary works of art leads to the conclusion that architectural productions are the subject of sharp criticism of art, beyond the moderate criticism of daily life and artists. Lately, artists have been critically bringing up the effects of projects that have been implemented in different understandings and scales on the inhabitants of the city, and the physical and socio-economic changes of cities. In this study, the structuring processes of cities and the changes until today have been examined through the works on the subject of the city, which have been exhibited in the Istanbul biennials since 2000. These examined works were analyzed through David Harvey’s definitions of the concept of capitalism. It aimed to directly readability of the relations between the concepts of the analyzed works about the city in a pragmatic manner. In this context, it can be said that together with the inclusion of cities in the production area of contemporary art, interferes with the cultural and physical body of the city. When the capitatalism crises are viewed critically from the social scale pointed out by contemporary art, it has been revealed that the crises can be read through art.

The essence of the concept of social inclusion of the city and its significance in ensuring the national security of the state

Ukraine, as a country, is in the process of constant development and transformation, facing a number of important social, economic and security challenges. One of these challenges is ensuring equal opportunities and accessing the social resources for all sections of society. In this context, the concept of social inclusion comes to the fore to become an important tool for promoting the sustainable development of cities and the entire country. Social inclusion involves the creation of conditions under which every person, regardless of their origin, gender, age, physical condition or other personal characteristics, can take an active part in all spheres of society. The implementation of this approach to the development of cities is especially relevant in modern Ukraine, where there are numerous challenges in the form of lack of access to infrastructure, medical care, housing and other services for certain social groups. The implementation of the concept of social inclusion is now widely recognized as important and not just good practice. The recent impact of the global pandemic, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the Russian-Ukrainian war have further emphasized the need to implement the concept of social inclusion in the development of Ukrainian cities. Promoting the development of social inclusion in cities requires a deep understanding of its essence, the factors affecting it, and the mechanisms of public administration involved. The work determined that the theory and methodology of public management of the development of social inclusion in cities in the science of public administration is not sufficiently formed. The existing scientific works of foreign and domestic scientists testify to the existence of different approaches to public management of the development of social inclusion. The essence of social inclusion was highlighted as the creation of a fair and accessible urban environment where all people, regardless of their origin or characteristics, can actively participate in the social, economic and cultural aspects of urban life. Social inclusion emphasizes the need to overcome structural barriers, discrimination and inequality to promote inclusive cities and ensure the social security of the state.

Unravelling the relationship between spatial and social inclusion: evidence from Korean cities and regions

ABSTRACT Spatial inclusion is defined as the availability of space and mobility for underprivileged people, as well as the physical closeness of different social groups. This study seeks to uncover the key components of spatial inclusion that increase social inclusion by investigating the links between spatial and social inclusion characteristics in South Korean cities and regions. A micro-dataset on personal health and social life, as well as other publicly available data, such as Census data are examined. The results suggest that increased spatial inclusion improves social inclusion of socially underprivileged people. However, the effects of each component of spatial inclusion are distinct. While housing affordability has mixed effects on different dimensions of social inclusion, an open settlement environment generally has a positive effect on social inclusion. The findings provide important implications for promoting social inclusion in cities and regions.

Editorial: Insights in social inclusion in cities

Editorial: Insights in social inclusion in cities

Do Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) Support Self-Reliance among Urban Refugees? Evidence from Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Malaysia

Organizations working with refugees are increasingly using information communication technologies (ICTs) in their work. While there is a rich literature in the field of media and communications studies exploring how refugees use ICTs to meet their social and economic needs, this article focuses on whether and how refugees’ ICT use maps onto the policy concept of refugee self-reliance, focusing on the economic, educational, administrative, health, and security/protection domains of self-reliance in informal urban settings. Building on the literature on refugees’ ICT use, we use semi-structured interviews with urban refugees in Malaysia to understand how they use technology in their daily lives and whether these refugees’ digital practices support self-reliance. We also interviewed practitioners from the Malaysian United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office and non-governmental organization (NGO) sectors to better understand such institutions’ strategies for using ICTs to deliver economic, educational, administrative, health, and protection programs in local refugee communities. Our findings are twofold: refugees’ use of ICTs represented idiosyncratic ways of achieving self-reliance, but when institutions tried to implement ICT solutions to support refugee self-reliance at a population level, refugees either did not use these ICT solutions or were critical of the institutional solutions. The findings presented here have import for not only research on refugee self-reliance and ICTs but also the wider migration field, as organizations, such as the International Organization for Migration and national immigration authorities, integrate ICTs into processes that affect migrants’ and displaced peoples’ economic, social, and political inclusion in cities of arrival.

Social Inclusion in Cities

Social Inclusion in Cities

АНТРОПОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ ВЗГЛЯД НА ЭПИДЕМИИ ЧУМЫ В ИСТОРИЧЕСКОМ ПРОШЛОМ

At many times in their history, humans have faced major epidemics. The “Black Death”, which broke out in the middle of the 14th century, is believed to be the deadliest one. The total number of the deceased population and the scale in many ways had a dramatic impact on the course of subsequent historical events. Until recently, the myths dating back to the Middle Ages have prevailed in scientific circles. They have remained unrevised despite the latest achievements in the research on the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis, the history of climate and medicine, and the extensive published data, making it of an interest to both reconsider certain established dogmas and reconstruct the algorithm of the course of major plague epidemics from the historical past using the results of the available paleogenetic, epidemiological, and climatological studies. This triggered our discussion on the nonlinear nature of the course of plague pandemics. The analysis of the historical sources showed that the scale and speed of the spread of plague epidemics in new territories directly depended on the degree of inclusion of cities and regions of the Afro-Eurasian space in the economic system of the Great Silk Road, the proximity to various epidemic centers of plague. The decisive influence of the anthropogenic factor on the duration and main directions of the spread of plague epidemics was revealed. The multivariate onset and course of pandemic plague waves were recognized. Therefore, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact place where the spread of the plague epidemics ended or to identify their consequences.

Affordable Housing Provision in Informal Settlements through Land Value Capture and Inclusionary Housing

Public-driven attempts to provide decent housing to slum residents in developing countries have either failed or achieved minimal output when compared to the growing slum population. This has been attributed mainly to shortage of public funds. However, some urban areas in these countries exhibit vibrant real estate markets that may hold the potential to bear the costs of regenerating slums. This paper sheds light on an innovative hypothesis to achieve slum regeneration by harnessing the real estate market. The study seeks to answer the question “How can urban public policy facilitate slum regeneration, increase affordable housing, and enhance social inclusion in cities of developing countries?” The study approaches slum regeneration from an integrated land economics and spatial planning perspective and demonstrates that slum regeneration can successfully be managed by applying land value capture (LVC) and inclusionary housing (IH) instruments. The research methodology adopted is based on a hypothetical master plan and related housing policy and strategy, aimed at addressing housing needs in Kibera, the largest slum in Nairobi, Kenya. This simulated master plan is complemented with economic and residual land value analyses that demonstrate that by availing land to private developers for inclusionary housing development, it is possible to meet slum residents’ housing needs by including at least 27.9% affordable housing in new developments, entirely borne by the private sector. Findings suggest that under a robust public-led governance umbrella, market forces can (1) significantly contribute to fill the financial gap in order to achieve the end of slums by 2050 in coherence with the United Nations Agenda 2030 targets and principles, and (2) increase both affordable and market housing in upgraded neighbourhoods, hence enhancing social inclusion in cities of developing countries.

Mapping socio-spatial segregation in the city of Marília/SP (Brazil)

Urban segregation represents a significant barrier to achieving social inclusion in cities. Its cartographic representation is important to measure the evolution of this serious urban phenomenon. This paper aims to map the susceptibility to socio-spatial segregation in Marília/SP (Brazil). The method of calculating the informative value and susceptibility was adapted to measure the segregation of the urban area of the city. As per the final map validation, the success rate was 93%; this methodological adaptation presented great potential and can contribute to the urban planning activities.

Accessible and Inclusive Public Space: The Regeneration of Waterfront in Informal Areas

Public open spaces play an important role in achieving equity and inclusion in cities. They are vital elements that shape the urban life and public realm in communities. This paper deals with waterfronts as key spaces in the urban, social, and economic structure of the city, with reference to informal areas where accessibility poses a severe challenge. The paper discusses the interactions between water front uses, potential interventions and the local community’s aspirations, while tackling land properties, and participation issues during the decision-making process for regenerating inclusive public spaces.Within this context, the authors present, debate, and analyze the case of Al Warrak Cornish project in the Northern Sector of Giza Governorate in Egypt. They discuss three main aspects in water frontage urban development including: water front as an accessible public space, regeneration as a process, and participation as a tool. This is emphasized through the application of an international policy, namely the three – legged approach that was adopted by the ASUD program in UN Habitat since 2013 (Achieving Sustainable Urban Development) including: Design, regulations, and finance to support developing contexts, aiming at regenerating the waterfront urban area, with the presence of informal urbanization, through the methodology of collaborative and participatory planning.The findings of this research present a methodological decision-making approach for the formalization of the local spatial development framework for waterfronts in informal areas with a focus on the participatory approach. This approach aims at achieving sustainability, and maximizing the economic valorization resulting from the regeneration of informal water frontage areas, balanced with the existing and neighboring community socioeconomic needs. It further highlights the process of reaching common objectives among all stakeholders, especially if they are from different social strata.The paper concludes that this emblematic project possesses significant implications regarding issues of spatial justice, combining conventional road infrastructure with urban regeneration and community energizing as critical aspects of mediating and articulating success in such contexts.

Role of NGOs in Fostering Equity and Social Inclusion in Cities of Bangladesh: The Case of Dhaka

Non-governmental organisations have made a significant contribution in the development of Bangladesh. Today, Bangladesh has more than 2000 NGOs, and few of them are among the largest in the world. NGOs are claimed to have impacts on the sustainable development in Bangladesh. However, to what extent they have fostered equity and social inclusion in the urban cities of Bangladesh remains a subject of thorough examination. The 11th goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) advocates for making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Bangladesh which is the most densely populated country in the world faces multifaceted urbanization challenges. The capital city Dhaka itself has experienced staggering population growth in last few decades. Today, Dhaka has become one of the fastest growing megacities in the world. Dhaka started its journey with a manageable population of 2.2 million in 1975 which now reached 14.54 million. The growth rate averaged 6 per cent each year. As this rapid growth of Dhaka City is not commensurate with its industrial development, a significant portion of its population is living in informal settlements or slums where they experience the highest level of poverty and vulnerability. Many NGOs have taken either concerted or individual efforts to address socio-economic challenges in the city. Earlier results suggest that programs undertaken by NGOs have shown potential to positively contribute to fostering equity and reducing social exclusion. This paper, attempts to explore what types of relevant NGO programs are currently in place taking the case of Dhaka city.

Using photovoice methods to explore older people's perceptions of respect and social inclusion in cities: Opportunities, challenges and solutions

Urbanisation and population ageing have contributed to recognise cities as important settings for healthy ageing. This paper considers opportunities, challenges and solutions of using photovoice methods for exploring how individuals perceive their cities and the contribution this makes to their health. It focuses on one aspect of older people's experiences – respect and social inclusion, in the context of a community-based participatory research. Drawing on selected findings (participants' photographs, associated quotes and researchers' field notes), we provide an assessment of the suitability of photovoice methodology for the intended purpose. Four groups of older people (n=26; aged 60 years or more) from four contrasting geographical areas in Liverpool, UK, were recruited purposively. Participants photographed perceived positive and negative aspects of respect and social inclusion in the city, reflecting on the meanings of the photographs in individual (n=23) and group interviews (n=9). Thematic and content analysis was conducted using NVivo 10 software.The work reported here provides insights into how participants engage with the photovoice process; factors preventing taking photos of interest; and how photographs complement interviews and focus groups. The findings demonstrate that photovoice both facilitated the dissemination of personalised relevant knowledge, and encouraged critical dialogue between participants, and city stakeholders. Reported difficulties included photography of negative and social concepts, and anxiety when taking photographs due to (i) expectations of what is a ‘proper’ photograph, and (ii) the need to obtain consent from subjects. With preparation, training, and discussion of participants’ ideas not expressed through photographs, photovoice was well-suited to this topic, providing insights complementing other research methods. Through analysing the application of photovoice for exploring perceptions of respect and social inclusion in cities, our paper has identified potential issues and provides important recommendations for researchers on how photovoice methodology can be strengthened in exploring conditions for better health in the urban environment.

Geographies of Power: Black Women Mobilizing Intersectionality in Brazil

Abstract In Brazil and throughout the African diaspora, rarely are black women, especially poor black women, considered leaders of social movements, much less political theorists. While Afro-Brazilian women are at the very heart of the struggle for urban housing and land rights in Salvador, the prevailing image of black women, particularly those who live in poor neighborhoods, is that they lack the knowledge and political sophistication needed to organize mass social movements. This article seeks to undermine this image by exploring how black women have come to radicalize local communities. It also explores why they are the main political actors interpreting the racial, gender, and class dynamics of urban development policies and fighting to reform projects of socio-spatial inclusion in cities. Bridging the scholarly gap between black feminist theorization and the grassroots practice of intersectionality, I argue that black women who organize as blacks, women, and poor people provide key insights into how intersectionality is mobilized for social and poltical change. Furthemore, the ethnographic focus on black women's activism illustrates the ways in which grassroots politics have advanced our understanding of intersectional identity formation in relationship to the material interests of the marginalized communities in Brazil.

The Social Dimension of Sustainable Development: Social Inclusion in Tanzania’s Urban Centres

One of the challenges confronting cities in the developing world is social exclusion and marginalization of the poor. This has been observed in terms of large scale informalities in settlements growth, employment and livelihood activities. Inadequate infrastructure, diminishing access to basic services and livelihood opportunities are increasingly precipitating social exclusion in cities. In Tanzania, the policy shift from social welfare to liberal economies is contributing to marginalization and subsequently, exclusion of poor households in accessing basic services. This paper discusses the social dimension of sustainability viewed from social inclusion point of view. Eight major urban centres in Tanzania are being examined. The data collection methods included household interviews, review of documents, workshops and group discussion. Results show that with the exception of access to education and health services, cities are poorly performing in terms of access to water supply, income versus cost of living, employment, services to the handicapped and ownership of properties by sex. Quality of life elements such as sanitation and urban informality also remains below average. While informality in cities accounted for 66 percent (in terms of built up areas), access to onsite potable accounted for only 36.9 percent. On the bases of these findings, it is recommended that strategies such as cross subsidization and addressing informalities should be developed and implemented with a view to ensuring social inclusion in cities.

‘Do You Think I’m Stupid?’: Urban Encounters between People with and without Intellectual Disability

Being amongst strangers is a definitive aspect of life in the modern city. To understand social inclusion in cities, it is necessary to consider not only the strength and extent of social networks of familiarity, but also the role of interactions with strangers in the public realm. People with intellectual disability are considered one of the most marginalised groups in society and the study applies the concept of encounter to offer a new perspective on their inclusion/exclusion, informed by contemporary urban theory rather than more nostalgic notions of community. The paper discusses encounters between people with and without intellectual disability in one suburb in Melbourne, Australia. The study is based, primarily, on field observations in a variety of settings in the public realm. Through analysis of these data, a typology of urban encounters is proposed that involves people with and without intellectual disability.

Developments in research for STI prevention in Peru

In The Lancet, Patricia García and colleagues1 report results of the Peru PREVEN study. In this large community-randomised trial, investigators matched 20 Peruvian cities (total population 2·9 million) into ten pairs to compare the effects of a multicomponent intervention for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) over 3 years. As countries of low and middle income continue to urbanise, the inclusion of cities with different socioeconomic profiles in this trial is advantageous.

English

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Biology at Digital Commons at Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. Ithas been accepted for inclusion in Cities and the Environment (CATE) by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons at Loyola MarymountUniversity and Loyola Law School. For more information, please contactdigitalcommons@lmu.edu.

English

This Special Topic Article: Urban Predators is brought to you for free and open access by the Biology at Digital Commons at Loyola MarymountUniversity and Loyola Law School. It has been accepted for inclusion in Cities and the Environment (CATE) by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons at Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. For more information, please contactdigitalcommons@lmu.edu.

English

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Biology at Digital Commons at Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. Ithas been accepted for inclusion in Cities and the Environment (CATE) by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons at Loyola MarymountUniversity and Loyola Law School. For more information, please contactdigitalcommons@lmu.edu.