intervention strategies for renovation of social housing estates

Theoretical background Chapter 2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
van Kempen). Also, specific in-depth studies have been carried out within several European
projects, such as UGIS (Urban Governance, Social Inclusion and Sustainability), ERBEX (The
Spatial Dimensions of Urban Social Exclusion and Integration: A European Comparison
Urbex) and RESTATE (Restructuring Large-scale Housing Estates in European Cities: Good
Practice and new visions for sustainable neighborhoods and cities) (van Beckhoven et al,
2005).
Theories and models developed by the researchers of the Chicago School in the 1920s (Park,
Burgess and Hoyt) are considered the precursors in the long list of models to explaining
change and decay of neighbourhoods. Three main approaches can be distinguished in the
investigation of the neighborhood change processes, and decay in particular, that are the
human ecology, the subcultural and the political economy approach. These approaches are at
the base of the models based on the American situation (Grigsby and colleagues, Temkin and
Rhoe) and on the European situation (Prak and Priemus, Power, and Andresen). The latest
are focused on the situation of the post-WWII social housing estates in Europe. Nonetheless,
despite the all-embracing character of the models developed until now, they always seem to
stress one or a small number of factors as the most important ones (van Beckhoven et al,
2005).
It has not been clarified jet how and where the neighborhood deterioration process starts
(Priemus, 2005). Grisby and colleagues, state that ageing of the housing stock is not the
primary cause of neighbourhood decline. On the other hand, it is recognized that the change
is someway a circular self-feeding process. In this respect, Prak and Priemus introduced the
concept of the three, internal fortifying, spirals of decline (social, economic, and technical
decline) and Andersen introduces the decay as a “self-perpetuating process”.
However, physical decay seems to be a factor that needs more investigation. In particular it
is considered a cause for neighbourhood change (Power, 1997), a consequence (Grisby and
colleagues), or even a concomitant factor affecting the change itself together with others
(Prak and Priemus) (van Beckhoven et al, 2005).
The importance of the initial quality of the neighbourhood, and the stock in particular, is
stressed by the model developed by Park and Priemus. The quality of the housing stock can
be forceful determinant of its later situation, physically as well as socially; no matter what
can be done, if the initial situation is low, deterioration may start quickly and continue
rapidly (van Beckhoven et al, 2005).
Besides their crucial role, environmental problems, like energy consumption and pollution,
are not considered into these models. Probably, at the time they were developed, the
cultural background was not ready jet to weight the importance of their position in the
neighbourhood changes. In 1993, this important item has been elaborated and introduced by
Heeger into the model of Prak and Priemus (Priemus, 2005).
The reversing process of decline is seldom considered. Power suggests that the key to
reversing the spiral of decline is winning the support of the residents. Unlike other
researchers, Power inserted the revising process of decay within the model itself (van
Beckhoven et al, 2005). In this respect, local management turns out to be an important
factor.
Reputation, or the so-called image of an area, that is “the idea people within and outside the
area create about the neighborhood itself” (Wassenberg, 2004) gives a picture of resident’s
satisfaction. Together with the local housing market, rent level and amenities, physical
appearance is considered by Andersen as a given circumstance contributing the circular of
neighborhood decay. Only Power stresses the importance of the estates’ appearance in the
revising process. Since it can stimulate again the forming of a social network, it can be a
trigger to for improvements as well (van Beckhoven et al, 2005).
However, according to van Beckhoven and colleagues, the Model of Housing Decline by Prak
and Priemus (1984; 1986) includes most of the elements that are considered to be of
influence on the situation of post WWII large housing estates: it is the most all-embracing
model developed until now. Although it was development in the 1980s, the model is still
relevant for explaining neighbourhood changes and decay in particular.
The model traces progressive decline of post-war estates, in which all the negative factors
and their causes are present. It explains why the decay spirals continue its downward trend.
4. B