Speaker
Description
Urban densification is often considered the best strategy for achieving sustainability goals and fostering social mix in urban contexts. While social mix has been used as a central argument to promote densification in several contexts, research has shown that densification is often linked to rising rents and housing prices, displacement, and exclusionary pressures if effective housing policies and regulations are not in place.
In Oslo, the case study of this investigation, densification is the main development strategy and has been primarily implemented in the eastern, historically less affluent side of the city, particularly through the redevelopment of former industrial areas. We argue that while a combination of a highly deregulated housing system, developer-led densification, and housing speculation risks creating exclusionary dynamics, the social implications of densification can vary depending on its location.
By analyzing census-tract-level data on household composition, ethnic background, and income, we explore whether newly developed densification areas in Oslo exhibit a more homogeneous or mixed socio-demographic profile in the western and eastern parts of the city and assess the implications for housing inequalities. Our analysis reveals that while the historical divide between Oslo’s eastern and western sides remains, densification areas appear to contribute to a more balanced social composition. Indeed, while densification areas in the less affluent eastern districts attract households with a higher socio-economic profile compared to the surrounding neighborhoods, those in the west show the opposite tendency.
However, two key shortcomings emerge. First, densification areas in the east tend to attract higher-income households, aligning with findings from new-build gentrification research on the development of densification areas in attractive urban locations.
The second drawback concerns the west side, where densification interventions, while bringing less well-off residents into wealthier areas, remain sporadic and face strong local opposition. Further research should investigate the potential effects of densifying areas further west in Oslo, where the most exclusive single-family home neighborhoods are located.
Additionally, future studies should consider micro-segregation dynamics to better understand potential trade-offs between social mix and inequalities in housing standards, living conditions, and stigmatization in densification areas. Finally, comparative research on the implications of densification for desegregation in different housing regimes is needed.
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
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