On Priority and Progress: Forced Residential Relocation and Housing Chances in Haaglanden, the Netherlands

Defining and Measuring Displacement: Is Relocation from Restructured Neighbourhoods Always Unwelcome and Disruptive?

“…Thus, both a degree of understanding and approval of renewal and relocation, and a prior intention to move, were positively associated with reported, post-relocation dwelling progress (Kleinhans & van der Laan Bouma-Doff, 2008). Similarly, an understanding of the need for dwelling demolition and not having a strong preference to remain in the same or adjacent neighbourhood were both positively associated with post-relocation perceived neighbourhood improvement (Doff & Kleinhans, 2011).…”

Urban Restructuring, Displaced Households and Neighbourhood Change: Results from Three Dutch Cities

“…Therefore, our second main question is valid: How do the neighbourhoods to which many displaced households move, differ from their previous neighbourhoods? There is less literature on this topic: When the differences between the old and the new neighbourhood are examined, it is usually done on the basis of an analysis of questionnaires and interviews held with the displaced residents themselves (Kleinhans and Van der Laan Bouma-Doff 2008 ;Goetz 2002 ;Manzo et al 2008 ;Varady and Walker 2000 ) . Whilst there is, in principle, nothing wrong with this approach we should keep in mind that such subjective data may be biased.…”

“…The de-concentration of the (low-income) population, as well as a better mix between different income-groups are seen as positive effects of such a policy. Two of the major insights stemming from research into the effect of mixing strategies are that: (1) urban restructuring often improves the quality of dwellings and safety; but that (2) despite the increase in population mixing, the desired interaction between different population groups (such as more and less well-off residents, new and old inhabitants, natives and nonnatives) in the neighbourhood rarely develops (e.g., Brooks et al 2005 ;Kleinhans et al 2007 ;Kleinhans and Van der Laan Bouma-Doff 2008 ;Van Beckhoven and Van Kempen 2003 ;Atkinson and Kintrea 2000 ) .…”

Displacement and urban restructuring in Amsterdam; following relocatees after demolition of social housing

“…Moreover, research shows that living in such neighbourhood not necessarily decreases income or educational outcomes (Van Ham and Manley 2010), while the assumed relation between segregation and integration is highly contested (Peach 2009;Phillips 2009). This combined with research that shows that overall relocatees appear to be more satisfied with their living situation after forced relocation (Doff and Kleinhans 2011;Kleinhans and Van der Laan Bouma-Doff 2008;Meerts et al 2011;Posthumus 2013) sheds a different light on the discussion regarding social mix.…”

“…By de-concentrating the urban poor other areas may disproportionally receive relocatees, so that on a macro level new concentrations may arise (Bolt et al 2009). Especially in the Netherlands, several scholars tried to track down displaced households, in order to find patterns in the relocation processes (Bolt and Van Kempen 2010;Bolt et al 2009;Doff and Kleinhans 2011;Kleinhans 2003;Kleinhans and Van der Laan Bouma-Doff 2008). These studies not merely focused on the possible emergence of new concentrations of poverty, but also highlighted how involuntary moves had a micro level impact on the housing situation of the relocatees.…”