Inclusive Localities: Perspectives on Local Social Policies and Practices

Abstract

The contributions in this book shed critical light on the shaping, negotiation, and creation of inclusive conditions of local authorities and localities. The authors analyse policy programs and reflect on their inclusive or exclusive effects in European and non-European contexts. Despite a number of global effects, which come about through supra-locally made decisions and influence the scope of action on the ground, many contributions emphasize the crucial role of the municipal level for a successful realisation of inclusion. Since the 1990s, inclusion has been regarded worldwide as a guiding principle for socially just cities and communities. Political and scientific discourses call for the inclusion of groups affected by social exclusion through better socio-spatial and economic conditions. However, structural inclusion conditions are often only created where there is sufficient common interest. This must be politically fought for, negotiated and implemented at all levels, including the local level.The term „locality“ in this context refers to concrete social spaces such as neighbourhoods, cities and towns where practices have inclusive or exclusive effects on people. The authors of this volume critically examine inclusive conditions in international contexts and analyse the impact of policy programs in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, the Western Balkans, Jordan, and Ghana.