9 SPATIALITIES: Making and unmaking socio-spatial justice
Stefano Cozzolino (ILS – Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development Dortmund, Germany; RWTH Aachen, Germany)
Arend Jonkman (TU Delft, the Netherlands)
Tiit Tammaru (University of Tartu, Estonia)
Layla Zibar (KU Leuven, Belgium)

Every locatin has its own characteristics and is thus – by definition – unequal. Urban policies, regulative frameworks, development projects, strategic mobility plans – to name a few – are all relevant interventions that continuously shape and re-shape cities and the opportunities they provide to its people and different groups. Such interventions might cause growing disparities and deepening spatial divides, between and within cities and regions. Moreover, they might threaten urban places as spaces providing opportunity and supporting social mobility and emancipation. Once socio-spatial injustices are inscribed in the build environment, it has lasting impacts and is difficult to erase. Spatial policies and urban developments, however, provide also opportunities to reshape urban spaces, and thus make and unmake socio-spatial justice. In order to support the making and prevent the unmaking of socio-spatial justice, knowledge is required on: connections between inequality and injustice; urban governance and injustice; recognition, participation and the making of justice; and how (urban) spaces can enable citizens to live the life they have reason to value.

This track welcomes theoretical, methodological and empirical contributions addressing the understanding of spatialities and the relation between urban qualities and injustice, processes and urban governance making and unmaking of socio-spatial justice, and the application of concepts and theories of socio-spatial justice. For example, the following topic may be addressed:

  • Socio-spatial justice

  • Urban policy and governance

  • Inequality

  • Recognition and participation

  • Urban form and public space

  • Urban welfare

  • Housing policies

  • Mobility and accessibility

  • Human rights and dignity

Keywords: socio-spatial justice; inequality; urban governance; urban development; urban policy; capability.