Organizers: Lavinia Bifulco (University of Milan Bicocca, IT); Massimo Bricocoli (Politecnico of Milan, IT and University of Luxemburg); Stefania Sabatinelli (Politecnico of Milan, IT)
Contact: lavinia.bifulco@unimib.it; massimo.bricocoli@polimi.it; stefania.sabatinelli@polimi.it
The scenario of deep socio-economic transformations affecting contemporary societies is a fundamental context in which to identify new challenges for cities and local governments in developing welfare policies and projects. Even though the bulk of social protection measures is provided at the state and/or regional level, cities are facing new emerging social demands as well as tightening budget and public expenditure constraints. The localization of welfare has been emphasizing the relevance of the urban contexts in the production of welfare and well-being. It has as well revealed shortcomings and controversial effects in terms of contributing to the reproduction of unequal access to welfare, with significant place-based differences.
A number of projects and practices are being initiated with the aim of developing or reorganising social protection measures based on localities. Social innovation and sharing have become major keywords and references for many local projects aiming at enhancing the social capacities of organization, for example providing collectively organized services to individuals (child and elderly care, housing, food, transport…). The potentials of these practices are important, while the shortcomings are yet to be fully identified, not least in terms of limiting social protection to those who can (self)organize it.
The session aims at discussing how cities (and neighbourhoods) are regaining relevance as social laboratories for practices of social inclusion in the perspective of developing innovative welfare policies and services. In a phase which features a generalized reduction of public expenditure and the shrinking of welfare policies, the session aims at discussing perspectives, policies and practices aiming at including larger numbers of people, and striving to reconcile local responsibility and universalistic access to social protection.
We invite contributions discussing the following intertwined questions:
How emerging social practices disclose demands that are unmet by existing policies, and foster the development of innovative public action in the city? Which are the conditions and factors which allow local projects to become more inclusive and work as pioneering experiences for more generalised local policies?
Multidisciplinary analysis and cross-national papers are especially welcome.
A3.1 Cities and welfare for all. Is reconciling local responsibility and universalistic access an ideal-city utopia?
Chair: Lavinia Bifulco (Milan Bicocca University) Massimo Bricocoli (University of Luxembourg) Stefania Sabatinelli (Politecnico Milan)
Contact : lavinia.bifulco@unimib.it massimo.bricocoli@polimi.it stefania.sabatinelli@polimi.it
Ingrid Breckner
Refugees in German Cities between protest and inclusive action in the civil society
Davide Caselli
Can the poor be smart? Evidences and critical reflections from Southern Europe
Sylvie Van Dam
Changing responsibilities: True opportunities of migrant organisations in local poverty reduction
Stijn Oosterlynck Pieter Cools
Translating social needs into social rights: local social innovation and Roma engagement schemes in Manchester and Ghent
Emma Bimpson
Governing homelessness through decentralised housing policy
Distributed Papers
Paolo Navarrete
Scavenging Revisited: The Role of Local Government Support in enhancing Scavengers’ Sustainable Performance
A3.2 Cities and welfare for all. Is reconciling local responsibility and universalistic access an ideal-city utopia?
Chair: Lavinia Bifulco (Milan Bicocca University) Massimo Bricocoli (Politecnico Milan) Stefania Sabatinelli (Politecnico Milan)
Contact : lavinia.bifulco@unimib.it massimo.bricocoli@polimi.it stefania.sabatinelli@polimi.it
Tatiana Saruis Fabio Colombo
Housing First and the City: How do innovative projects affect local policies and urban space?
Ali Akbar Tajmazinani
Challenges of establishing a ‘welfare municipality’ in Tehran
Eleni Triantafyllopoulou, Poulios Dimitris, John Sayas
Social innovation in an era of socio-spatial transformations. Choosing between responsibility and solidarity
Margrit Hugentobler
The provision of affordable housing as a key aspect for social inclusion in cities
Elena Ostanel
Social innovation and territorial development in contested neighbourhoods: a matter of debate
Distributed Papers
Elizabeth Kanini Wamuchiru
Social innovative strategies for water and sanitation infrastructure orovisin in Nairobi’s informal settlements
