Governance as glue: Urban governance and social cohesion in post-WWII neighbourhoods in the Netherlands

Abstract

At the time when the post-WWII neighbourhoods were built, they were much wanted housing environments. Today, however, they face many problems with safety, concentrations of poverty, and liveability. Much good is expected of social cohesion to restore the situation in these neighbourhoods. Policymakers and researchers alike are eager to understand how social cohesion in urban neighbourhoods can be improved. Simultaneously with the attention for social cohesion we observe a change in the way that neighbourhoods are managed; now not only the public authorities, but also private partners and the voluntary sector play a part. In the academic literature much has been written about both social cohesion and urban governance, but empirical evidence of the relationship is lacking. The aims of this study were to enhance our insight into the factors that generate social cohesion, to evaluate urban governance practice, and enhance our understanding of the relationship between social cohesion and urban governance. These issues have been studied in the context of post-WWII neighbourhoods in the Netherlands. In line with the expectations, the participation of residents in decision-making processes is found to be an intermediary factor, relating urban governance to social cohesion and vice versa. Policymakers play a crucial part in this relationship.