Speaker
Description
In recent years, cities around the world have launched ambitious urban transformation programs aimed at enhancing pedestrian mobility and improving public spaces. These initiatives often reflect a broader movement towards creating more livable and sustainable urban environments. Barcelona, with her internationally acclaimed Superblock flagship program, is a great example of that. Pedestrian-friendly designs are celebrated for their potential to reduce air pollution, encourage healthier lifestyles, and foster community interactions. However, these projects are not without criticism, and one significant area of concern involves their social consequences. A recurring critique of these policies is their potential to drive up land prices, making certain neighborhoods more attractive to wealthier individuals and displacing vulnerable populations in a process known as gentrification.
While extensive research has examined the phenomenon of "green gentrification"; that is, the gentrification processes triggered by urban greening projects like parks and greenways, relatively little attention has been given to other forms of urban transformation. The social justice implications of pedestrianization schemes (urban interventions that convert vehicular streets into pedestrian-only zones) remain underexplored. Existing studies on the spatial determinants of housing prices suggest that walkability is linked to higher land values, which can inadvertently contribute to exclusionary processes. Yet, it is unclear whether smaller-scale interventions like pedestrianization alone are sufficient to drive significant demographic changes in urban areas.
This study seeks to address this gap by analyzing the sociodemographic impacts of pedestrianization in Barcelona. Specifically, it examines whether such projects have triggered gentrification-like changes in the social composition of affected neighborhoods. Using a self-elaborated database documenting pedestrianization projects in the city from 2012 to 2020, combined with fine-grained annual sociodemographic data, the research employs a Difference-in-Differences (DiD) analysis. This method compares changes in demographic indicators in pedestrianized areas with non-pedestrianized areas, isolating the effects of pedestrianization from broader urban trends.
The findings reveal significant trends that, though small now, are growing over time. Pedestrianized areas have attracted a disproportionate number of European and North American newcomers compared to what would be expected in the absence of intervention. They have also received a higher-than-expected influx of highly educated residents, and a reduction of the proportion of those with lower level of studies. Additionally, these areas have experienced an increase in residents aged 31–64, a demographic often associated with higher income levels. These shifts suggest that pedestrianization projects may contribute to changes in neighborhood composition, attracting new residents that are wealthier, more educated and come from more affluent countries.
The implications of these findings are significant for urban policymakers. Pedestrianization projects, while beneficial in driving modal shifts and improving quality of life, may inadvertently undermine goals of social equity and inclusion. If such initiatives disproportionately attract wealthier groups, they could indirectly raise housing prices and lead to the displacement of previous residents, exacerbating urban inequalities and raising an issue of urban justice. Policymakers need to be aware of these dynamics when implementing pedestrianization schemes and consider measures to mitigate potential adverse effects.
This research also highlights the relevance of small-scale urban transformations. While some bigger Superblock interventions were considered in the study, most of the interventions were smaller interventions spread across the city, leading to consider the significancy of small-scale projects in driving broader sociodemographic shifts.
Designing policies that effectively address climate change pressures while guaranteeing the inclusion of vulnerable populations in urban life is a key challenge of contemporary urban planning. These results should not lead us to stop further pedestrianization schemes, but rather to consider which other policies need to be implemented along with them to ensure social justice.
| Keywords | pedestrianization; urban transformation; gentrification; sociodemographic change |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
