Defining and measuring displacement: is relocation from restructured neighbourhoods always unwelcome and disruptive?

Kearns, A. and Mason, P. (2013) Defining and measuring displacement: is relocation from restructured neighbourhoods always unwelcome and disruptive? Housing Studies, 28(2), pp. 177-204. (doi: 10.1080/02673037.2013.767885)

Abstract

Current regeneration policy has been described as ‘state-led gentrification’, with comparisons made with the ‘social disruption’ caused by slum clearance of the 1950s and 1960s. This article takes issue with this approach in relation to the study of the restructuring of social housing areas. The terms ‘forced relocation’ and ‘displacement’ are often too crude to describe what actually happens within processes of restructuring and the effects upon residents. Displacement in particular has important dimensions other than the physical one of moving. Evidence from a recent study of people who have moved out of restructured areas shows that although there is some evidence of physical displacement, there is little evidence of social or psychosocial displacement after relocation. Prior attitudes to moving and aspects of the process of relocation—the degree of choice and distance involved—are important moderators of the outcomes. Issues of time and context are insufficiently taken into consideration in studies and accounts of restructuring, relocation and displacement.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mason, Dr Phil and Kearns, Professor Ade
• Authors: Kearns, A., and Mason, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > People, Place & Social Change
• Journal Name: Housing Studies
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• ISSN: 0267-3037
• ISSN (Online): 1466-1810
• Published Online: 18 February 2013
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2013 Taylor and Francis
• First Published: First published in Housing Studies 28(2):177-204
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher