Speaker
Description
The convergence of global crises— e.g. climate change, socio-economic inequities—has highlighted the urgent need for transformative spatial planning that addresses deep-seated inequalities. In this context, social housing offers a critical lens through which to analyse the interplay between space, society, and policy. This paper examines the socio-spatial transformations of social housing in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA), focusing on the interaction between housing typo-morphologies, social dynamics, and political-economic trends.
The LMA has long been a site of significant socio-spatial transformations, shaped by waves of urban expansion, migration, and housing policies. Social housing for rehousing, often implemented as a response to displacement caused by urban renewal, informal settlements, and socio-economic crises, reflects the complex relationship between architectural and urban typologies, social stratification, and political agendas. This study situates these interventions within the broader dynamics of metropolitan Lisbon, exploring how housing policies and practices influence and are influenced by social and spatial configurations.
A central focus of this analysis is the examination of housing typo-morphologies—urban and architectural forms that embody specific socio-economic and political ideologies. In the LMA, social housing typologies range from large-scale peripheral estates to infill developments in central neighbourhoods. These typologies do not only reflect but also reinforce spatial hierarchies and social divides. Peripheral estates, for instance, often isolate residents from employment opportunities and urban amenities, perpetuating cycles of socio-economic exclusion. Conversely, centrally located developments can trigger gentrification dynamics, displacing vulnerable populations and undermining the very goals of equitable rehousing policies.
The paper also considers the role of social dynamics in shaping and being shaped by these housing interventions. In the LMA, diverse demographic groups—immigrants, low-income families, and displaced communities—navigate the socio-spatial constraints imposed by housing policies. Their experiences reveal how social housing, while addressing immediate needs, often fails to foster long-term integration and resilience. The persistence of social inequalities underscores the limitations of current planning paradigms that prioritize economic efficiency over inclusivity and care.
In addition to examining spatial and social dimensions, this paper interrogates the political-economic trends that underpin social housing policies in the LMA. Portugal’s shift towards neoliberal urban policies, characterized by privatization and market-oriented development, has reshaped the landscape of social housing. While public housing programs have sought to address housing precarity, they have often been constrained by limited funding and competing priorities, resulting in fragmented and uneven interventions. These trends highlight the need for a more comprehensive and equitable approach to housing policy, one that integrates spatial, social, and ecological considerations.
Through the case study of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, this paper argues for a reimagining of social housing as a transformative tool for socio-spatial justice. It emphasizes the importance of integrating housing typo-morphologies, social dynamics, and political-economic trends into planning practices. Ultimately, the socio-spatial transformations of social housing in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area underscores the transformative potential of planning to address the interconnected challenges of inequality, displacement, and environmental degradation.
This study seeks to inspire innovative approaches to social housing while prioritizing care, equity, and resilience, to foster a metropolitan region that is more inclusive, sustainable, and capable for addressing the complexities of a rapidly changing world.
| Keywords | Social Housing; Socio-spatial justice; spatial planning |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
