The important question is in which ways the negative combination of rapid and selective population turnover affect aspects of social cohesion within post-WWII large housing estates in the Netherlands. Social cohesion and social networks decline as a consequence of a growing mix of the population. Negative aspects such as burglaries, graffiti and the upkeep of public places might have a relation with the values and norms component of social cohesion as well. The outcome of the research was that people do value social cohesion in post-WWII housing estates and the lack of it makes the quality of life in the areas probably less high than it could be.

Social cohesion is a popular concept at the moment and large housing estates are becoming the focal areas of urban policies. Dutch nationals have gradually been replaced by a multitude of minority ethnic groups in post-WWII large housing estates. Moreover, the areas have suffered from physical and social decline in the last two decades. This might also have negative effects on the will of the inhabitants to put energy in activities building social cohesion. The objective was to find out how important social cohesion is in the eyes of the inhabitants of these estates.

Aspects of social cohesion only play a minor role as a reason to move to large post-WWII housing estates. People move to the areas mainly because of the availability of suitable (affordable) dwellings. However, most of them want to leave because of feelings of insecurity or aspects that have to do with noise in the area. This might at least have to do indirectly with a lack of social cohesion, especially with a lack of common values and norms.

Urban and Regional research centre Utrecht, Faculty of GeoSciences, Utrecht University
Ellen van Beckhoven, tel. +31 30 2532243

02/07/2004

Ronald van Kempen and Ellen van Beckhoven

research

Urban Policy

Social inclusion & integration