Social Mixing as a Cure for Negative Neighbourhood Effects: Evidence Based Policy or Urban Myth?

David Manley (), Maarten van Ham and Joe Doherty ()
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David Manley: University of Bristol
Joe Doherty: University of St. Andrews

No 5634, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: In this paper, we review the evidence base for social mixing in neighbourhoods, which is used as a strategy to tackle assumed negative neighbourhood effects. We discuss in detail the theoretical links between neighbourhood characteristics, and outcomes of individuals living in concentrations of poverty. Through this we identify the theoretical case for promoting socially mixed communities. We then review the empirical evidence base, focusing on outcomes of the American poverty deconcentration initiatives including the Moving to Opportunity and HOPE VI programs. We identify that the evidence from these programs is at best inconclusive. Turning to the European experience we identify problems associated with using observational data to assess individual outcomes in relation to their neighbourhood context. We conclude by suggesting that the evidence base for social mixing is far from robust, and that many of the current empirical papers suffer from serious analytical shortcomings. Ultimately, the process of creating more socially mixed neighbourhoods is unlikely to create more opportunities in life for the original residents. Socially mixing neighbourhoods through tenure mixing will only change the population composition of neighbourhoods, increasing average incomes because more affluent (and employed) residents will move into the owner occupied housing replacing social housing.

Keywords: tenure mix; social mixing; neighbourhood effects; evidence base; housing policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I30 J60 R23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 18 pages
Date: 2011-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

Published - published in: Bridge, G., Butler, T. & Lees, L. (eds.), Mixed Communities: Gentrification by Stealth, Policy Press, Bristol, 2011

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