| dc.description.abstract | The research looks at the relationship between urban regeneration and social sustainability, looking at the way in which city plan can be organized to increase social and physical aspects related to social sustainability. The two main concepts are popular themes in both the academia and policy-making. The first concept is investigated as a process aimed to revitalize pre-existing area, with ambitious objectives, such as a rehabilitation of public areas and services and a strengthened social and civic participation. The second concept revolves around two dimensions, sustainability of a community and social equity. As there are adverse effects related to the process of urban regeneration (e.g. the process of gentrification), a focus on the social dimension of sustainability is needed to ascertain the quality of the process. Therefore, departing from theoretical knowledge, the research draws a set of social sustainability indicators employed in a case study. The area of Lombok, Utrecht is chosen as an exemplary case highlighting the relations between these two concepts. The results, which include quantitative and qualitative data, pinpoint the complexity of achieving social sustainability in neighborhood interested by urban regeneration, and the potential role of different stakeholders in aiding or hindering the process. Issues of safety in terms of car traffic and perception of uneasiness, and disputes around identity, with fear of gentrification, results in a need for a cohesive plan that consider physical as well as social elements. The findings highlight the need for policy makers and planners to embrace social aspects in the formulation of urban regeneration plan, and suggest recommendations for future research. | |
