Inclusive Urbanism
María José Guerreo Mayo and María José Dorado-Rubín, Pablo de Olavide University
Definition
An approach to urbanism that promotes social equity, accessibility, and the participation of all social groups in the urban planning and management process, ensuring that urban spaces are sustainable, accessible, safe, and equitable for all people, regardless of their social, economic, cultural, or physical background. Its goal is to create urban environments that promote active participation and the well-being of all communities, especially those groups that have traditionally been excluded or marginalised (Arnstein, 1969; Harvey, 2008).
It is based on several key principles: universal accessibility, which ensures that the design of spaces is suitable for all people; equity and social justice, which seeks to reduce socioeconomic inequalities, allowing all groups access to quality basic services; community participation, which encourages the active involvement of citizens in the planning and organisation of their spaces; cultural and ethnic diversity, which ensures that urban spaces are sensitive to the plurality of cultures and traditions; and the integration of public spaces, which promotes welcoming, safe, and functional spaces for all people (Jacobs, 1961; Harvey, 1973).
Inclusive urbanism, therefore, seeks to improve the quality of life for residents by creating urban environments that respond to the needs and rights of all people, advocating for affordable housing policies, and offering housing solutions for everyone. It promotes social cohesion by reducing gaps between different groups and strengthening the sense of belonging to the community. It also favours social justice by ensuring that all citizens have access to resources and opportunities and fosters community identity by involving residents in the design of their urban environments.
Background information and contemporary debate
This approach arose in response to the social inequalities and segregation that intensified during the Industrial Revolution when rapid urban growth led to the exclusion of the working classes to the peripheries of cities. At the same time, urban elites resided in central areas with access to better services and quality spaces (Lefebvre, 1991). From the mid-20th century, driven by social movements and struggles for social justice, an interest in urban planning emerged, aimed at making cities more inclusive, sustainable, and accessible, reflecting the diversity of their inhabitants and their needs (Jacobs, 1961; Harvey, 1973). A new approach moved away from the urban model that favoured economic elites, sidelining the needs of the most vulnerable groups.
Despite advancements, the implementation of inclusive urbanism faces various obstacles, primarily economic, social, and political. Globalisation, for example, has transformed the structure of cities, altering their development through new dynamics of economic power and migratory flows. While it can bring benefits such as investments and job creation, it also generates increasing spatial segregation due to the concentration of resources and services in specific sectors, eroding social cohesion and creating a new fragmented spatial order (Marcuse & Van Kempen, 2000). Therefore, a new approach to understanding urban planning in a globalised context is required, promoting more balanced and sustainable urban development through the implementation of social inclusion policies from both local and global perspectives (Sassen, 1991; Marcuse & Van Kempen, 2000).
Another major challenge of inclusive urbanism is the phenomenon of gentrification, which displaces vulnerable communities as neighbourhoods undergo processes of renewal and valuation. Gentrification, while it can bring improvements and investments to urban areas, has adverse effects on low-income communities that cannot cope with the rising costs resulting from urban renewal (Slater, 2006; Lees, Slater & Wyly, 2008; Angotti, 2012). Inclusive urbanism advocates for policies to prevent the displacement of these communities, ensuring equitable access to urban resources and promoting the right to the city, which holds that all residents should have the right to actively participate in the construction and use of urban space, regardless of their social or economic status (Lefebvre, 1996; Harvey, 2008; Angotti, 2012).
The implementation of inclusive urbanism faces significant challenges, such as a lack of political will, resistance from certain economic groups, and a scarcity of resources. However, there are proposals to move towards more inclusive cities, such as creating neighbourhoods that promote diversity and coexistence, with affordable and accessible housing; revitalising degraded areas without displacing original residents; and creating cultural centres and community activities that encourage participation from all (Angotti, 2012).
Inclusive urbanism is a response to urban inequalities and segregation, promoting accessible, equitable, and participatory cities. While its implementation presents complex challenges, its comprehensive approach to social inclusion, spatial justice, and sustainability represents a crucial step towards creating urban environments that benefit all people, regardless of their background or status.
References
Angotti, T. (2012). New York for sale: Community planning confronts global real estate. MIT Press.
Arnstein, S. R. (1969). A ladder of citizen participation. Journal of the American Planning Association, 35(4), 216–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944366908977225
Harvey, D. (1973). Social justice and the city. University of Georgia Press.
Harvey, D. (2008). The right to the city. New Left Review, 53.
Jacobs, J. (1961). The death and life of great American cities. Random House.
Lees, L., Slater, T., & Wyly, E. (2008). Gentrification. Routledge.
Lefebvre, H. (1991). The production of space. Blackwell.
Lefebvre, H. (1996). The Right to the City. In E. Kofman & E. Lebas (Eds.), Writings on cities (pp. 147-159). Blackwell.
Marcuse, P., & Van Kempen, R. (2000). Globalizing cities: A new spatial order? Blackwell.
Sassen, S. (1991). The global city: New York, London, Tokyo. Princeton University Press.
Slater, T. (2011). Gentrification of the city. In G. Bridge & S. Watson (Eds.), The New Blackwell Companion to the City (pp. 571-585). Blackwell Publishing Ltd.