A Polanyi-inspired perspective on social-ecological transformations of cities

Abstract

Based on a Polanyi-inspired research program, we analyze urban transformations as interrelations between infrastructural configurations, i.e. contextdependent material infrastructures and their multi-scalar political-economic regulations, and socio-cultural modes of living. Describing different modes of infrastructure provisioning in Vienna between 1890 and today, we illustrate how political-economic processes of commodification and decommodification have co-evolved with socio-culturally specific modes of living, grounded in different classes and milieus. We show how, today, two modes of living-"traditional," established during postwar welfare capitalism, and "liberal," formed during neoliberal capitalism-co-exist. In the current conjuncture of rising inequality, neoliberal urban regeneration, and accelerating climate crisis, these modes of living are not only increasingly polarized and antagonistic, but also increasingly unable to satisfy needs and self-defined aspirations. Therefore, we explore the potential of social-ecological infrastructural configurations as an alliancebuilding project for a systemic social-ecological transformation, potentially linking different classes, social segments and forces around a common eco-social endeavor.

Engaging with precarious urban futures: From entrepreneurial to grounded cities

“…In Vienna, 50,000 apartments were confiscated from its Jewish population between 1938 and 1945. This is close to the 60,000 municipal apartments created during “Red Vienna” between 1925 and 1934 (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotes_Wien) (Bärnthaler et al, 2020); for an example of discriminatory current housing policy in Landskrona, Sweden, see Baeten (2020).…”

“…“Strong, on-the-ground capabilities are integral to the global operations of most international businesses and are in large part driven by the personal and professional wellbeing of the individuals that companies place in those locations said Ilya Bonic, Senior Partner and President of Mercer’s Career business.” 13 These “on-the-ground capabilities” include health care, education, public services and transportation, housing, natural environment, that is, key elements of the urban foundational economy. The ranking features prominently on the website of the city of Vienna 14 and is used to sell the location to potential investors and “creative workers.” The capabilities underpinning these rankings were not created to improve “competitiveness” but to secure workers and later, middle-class citizens, against precarious conditions of work and living starting with the building and municipal acquisition of the “material foundational economy” (Froud et al, 2018a) in the later half of the 19th century, the development of social housing, recreational and health facilities during the period of “Red Vienna” between 1923 and 1934 (Kadi, 2015; Matznetter, 2002, 2019; Novy et al, 2001) and was further expanded as part of the Keynesian welfare state after WWII (Bärnthaler et al, 2020). As a result, the city of Vienna now owns 220,000 flats, 26.5 percent of all housing units in 2011.…”

“…The industrial structure of Vienna shifted from domestic-market orientation to international markets that produced jobs in the FIRE, creative industry, and tourism sectors. Rapid population growth coupled with deregulation of the private low rental housing market (Hatz, 2019; Kadi, 2015; Kadi and Verlic, 2019; Matznetter, 2002, 2019; Reinprecht, 2019; Tockner, 2017) and fiscal constraint of the city 17 (Bärnthaler et al, 2020) resulted in rising demand for and lower supply of affordable housing. Although suburbanization processes occurred at least since the 1970s, the recent pressures on Vienna’s housing market resulted in the growth and geographic expansion of Vienna’s commuter belt far beyond the administrative boundaries of the city (European Commission, 2015; Kramar et al, 2019).…”

“…Adherence to the Liberal Globalist path is likely to result in increasing nationalistic fragmentation, changes in access rulea to UBS along race, religion, and/or citizenship or possibly, the demise of the EU. Within Vienna, neighborhood particularities need to be recognized, analyzed, and mobilized to enroll local populations in a social contract that empowers local co-creation and instills a sense of ownership of a local social-ecological transition (Bärnthaler et al, 2020). All policies, especially those pertaining to the housing/land use and mobility systems, require collaboration between jurisdictions in order to avoid displacement and rebound effects.…”

“…https://www.wienerwohnen.at/wiener-gemeindebau/wiener-gemeindebau-heute.html Accessed on 11 July 2020. For detailed accounts of Red Vienna see Matznetter, 2002; Novy et al, 2001 or Bärnthaler et al, 2020.…”