This thesis focuses on the exploration and recognition of housing policies and social housing initiatives in the current years. The main goal of this research is the detection of recent practices and the analysis of their characteristics. Housing policies is the main field of studies and it is related to urban neo-liberalism and urban governance. Furthermore, the analysis of case studies permits to assess social innovation in local social housing practices. Social innovation represents an interesting topic developed in the last years through which evaluating the social innovative dimension of recent social housing initiatives. Social housing constituted a relevant issue during the past decades, but the withdrawal of the states from this form of welfare caused not only a general loss of policies and initiatives, but also a decrease in studies and scientific literature. The current practices are clearly impossible to be compared to the European traditional forms of social housing policies (considering size and scope). Nevertheless, in all the national contexts various forms of policies and initiatives are taking place, according to their local issues, resources and legal national frames. The recent practices are developed to supply urgent housing needs as they represent the only forms to sustain the housing sector. In fact, current social housing practices are dealing with the on-going process of this sector’s residualisation. In particular, local actors (public, private or not-for-profit) are often the ones who promote and support these practices. The intent of this exploration is studying and understanding current dynamics and trends, coping with the current lack of information. On the other hand, since Southern Europe has been rarely considered in housing studies, a focus on the situation in Italy permits to help filling the gap in the knowledge. Social housing practices are however linked to spatial planning, and housing hardship represents one of the main needs that has to be considered in the next years in this “crisis scenario”. The research consists of four main parts: in the first one the theoretical background is identified allowing to define two research questions, which correspond to the recognition of European trends and practices and then to the focus on Northern Italy; the conclusions constitute the fourth part. The framework of social housing’s residualisation and its decline is examined considering various studies. In particular, the withdrawal of the states from housing policies is linked to the changes in urban context (neo-liberalism). The European practices are then recognized and analysed exploring common trends and dynamics. Some national examples are used in order to show various approaches. Then Northern Italian case studies’ analysis is presented providing useful examples and permitting to link theories and practices. The two case studies (two cities of Northern Italy, Turin and Milan) are analysed focusing on their housing policies, plans, norms and initiatives. These are studied in comparison with the European trends and are examined considering social innovation. An assessment of their social innovative character is done applying a previous model of analysis. Finally, the author identifies common trends and reflections about social housing and Northern Italian practices. Considerations on the methodology and future directions for the research are also presented in the conclusions.

Innovative practices in social housing. Trends in Europe and a focus on Northern Italy / Caruso, Nadia. - STAMPA. - (2013).

Innovative practices in social housing. Trends in Europe and a focus on Northern Italy.

CARUSO, NADIA
2013

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the exploration and recognition of housing policies and social housing initiatives in the current years. The main goal of this research is the detection of recent practices and the analysis of their characteristics. Housing policies is the main field of studies and it is related to urban neo-liberalism and urban governance. Furthermore, the analysis of case studies permits to assess social innovation in local social housing practices. Social innovation represents an interesting topic developed in the last years through which evaluating the social innovative dimension of recent social housing initiatives. Social housing constituted a relevant issue during the past decades, but the withdrawal of the states from this form of welfare caused not only a general loss of policies and initiatives, but also a decrease in studies and scientific literature. The current practices are clearly impossible to be compared to the European traditional forms of social housing policies (considering size and scope). Nevertheless, in all the national contexts various forms of policies and initiatives are taking place, according to their local issues, resources and legal national frames. The recent practices are developed to supply urgent housing needs as they represent the only forms to sustain the housing sector. In fact, current social housing practices are dealing with the on-going process of this sector’s residualisation. In particular, local actors (public, private or not-for-profit) are often the ones who promote and support these practices. The intent of this exploration is studying and understanding current dynamics and trends, coping with the current lack of information. On the other hand, since Southern Europe has been rarely considered in housing studies, a focus on the situation in Italy permits to help filling the gap in the knowledge. Social housing practices are however linked to spatial planning, and housing hardship represents one of the main needs that has to be considered in the next years in this “crisis scenario”. The research consists of four main parts: in the first one the theoretical background is identified allowing to define two research questions, which correspond to the recognition of European trends and practices and then to the focus on Northern Italy; the conclusions constitute the fourth part. The framework of social housing’s residualisation and its decline is examined considering various studies. In particular, the withdrawal of the states from housing policies is linked to the changes in urban context (neo-liberalism). The European practices are then recognized and analysed exploring common trends and dynamics. Some national examples are used in order to show various approaches. Then Northern Italian case studies’ analysis is presented providing useful examples and permitting to link theories and practices. The two case studies (two cities of Northern Italy, Turin and Milan) are analysed focusing on their housing policies, plans, norms and initiatives. These are studied in comparison with the European trends and are examined considering social innovation. An assessment of their social innovative character is done applying a previous model of analysis. Finally, the author identifies common trends and reflections about social housing and Northern Italian practices. Considerations on the methodology and future directions for the research are also presented in the conclusions.
2013
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11583/2507462
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