Introducing Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Sweden: A social justice appraisal

Abstract

In a context of growing socio-spatial polarization and of restructuring state–market relations in urban governance, a new phenomenon is emerging in Swedish cities, that is, partnerships for urban regeneration inspired by the Business Improvement District (BID) model. Through an empirical case study research on one of the most long-standing BID partnerships in Sweden – that is, BID Gamlestaden in Gothenburg – the article critically assesses whether the BID model as it has been applied in Sweden represents a socially and politically sustainable tool for urban regeneration. Namely, the study analyses the complex constellation of power entrenched in the BID, with a focus on the relations with urban governance actors ‘above’ (city planning department, public housing, real estate companies, media, politicians) and ‘below’ (residents and local businesses). Despite general claims around BIDs as successful tools for uplifting distressed neighbourhoods, BID Gamlestaden presents shortcomings regarding issues of urban social justice in terms of democratic participation and representation (democracy), disciplining and sanitizing strategies (diversity) and gentrification risks (equality). In fact, while BID partners notice improved attractiveness and sense of security and higher estate values, this improvement is based upon the removal of the most socio-economically vulnerable residents and the disciplining of residents’ and businesses’ behaviours and aesthetics. This study warns about the risk that BIDs as they are currently implemented in Sweden are used as a ‘neoliberal fix’ to move social problems elsewhere rather than solving them, which might lead to new landscapes of exclusion and gentrification.

The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Housing as a Potential Contributor to Sustainable Cities and Communities: A Systematic Review

“…Ultimately, a policy of social equity that guarantees access to affordable social housing and green space can also contribute to avoiding the now common and ubiquitous processes of segregation that hamper the attainment of social sustainability goals [64]. Another social equity and access hurdle is, for instance, the rent-gaps identified by Thörn and Holgersson [40] in the housing context in Gothenburg, Sweden.…”

“…What is termed here as social sustainability via eviction. Counteract negative effects of gentrification [57] Deliberate conflict resolution in land-use [61,63] Promote revamping distressed neighbourhoods [64] Include all stakeholders in a specific governable context [65] Introduce strong social focus on BID property development [73,74] 3. Stigmatization [40,71] Avoid redevelopment through stigmatization of neighbourhood [40] Be wary of territorial destigmatization regimes [71] Concerning the elite power theme intrinsic to justice, researchers suggest that four steps can be taken toward justice (as in Table 5).…”

“…This implies that the PPP shares power with [51,70], and includes the needs of, marginalized residents vis a vis the housing association [50,62,64]. Berglund-Snodgrass et al [67] (p. 877) even go as far as to argue for the inclusion of social services and marginalized residents:…”

“…The principles of fairness they suggest in their argumentation, and listed here, ought to be viewed as a form of triage that includes arresting negative neighbourhood effects. This, they claim, can only be done by diluting the current strong focus on Business Improvement Districts (BID) property development with social sensitivity [58,64]. In the Danish context, Richner and Olesen [73] (p. 167) capture this line of argument when they argue that:…”

The Scopic Feast of Heritage and the Invention of Unthreatening Diversity in Neoliberal Cities

“…Valuable finds were unearthed, brushed, cleaned, grouped and archived, then transported to the city museum and other official hosts. In April 2018, Hela Gamlestaden was officially formalized as the first Business Improvement District Model (BID) in Sweden [27]. The foundation of BID represented an important turning point in the history of the Welfare State in Sweden, and an achievement for neoliberal forms of governance.…”