“The councilors are the ones to blame”
The Symbolic Reproduction of Territorial Boundaries Created by Policy and Planning Decisions
Marta Neves (University of Southern Denmark) & Sara Rodrigues Neves (s-e arquitetura, Portugal)
When we engage with others, it is not on neutral ground. Instead, we interact on territories marked by power and social distinctions. Take neighborhoods, for example — these areas have social rules and purposes. Some of these rules may dictate that we are not allowed to step on the grass, that we should avoid going there at night, or that they are reserved for those who live there. As this illustrates, territories are not neutral; they shape who we are, how we should behave, for what purpose, and who has a say and ownership over space.
Who determines the power dynamics within territories? Literature shows that territories are simultaneously created from above, where the state plays a determinant role and from below by those who inhabit them. However, some questions remain unanswered, particularly the state's role in creating territories vis-á-vis citizens' initiatives.
This article focuses on two neighborhoods in the city of Porto, Portugal. It presents two key findings: First, through interviews with 57 people living in these neighborhoods, it shows that the residents were often passive when defining the boundaries of their neighborhoods. They almost always reproduced the administratively created boundaries, even when they believed some of these boundaries were unjust. Despite their discriminatory nature, the interviewees did not contest them.
Secondly, the interviews revealed that residents were not unaware that these neighborhoods and communities had been politically and administratively created, leading them to blame the councilors for their perceptions of unjust boundaries. While this reflects a high degree of awareness, the article also reveals that this awareness is highly consequential to future actions. Instead of taking steps to change things, improve their neighborhoods, contest negative reputations, or cross boundaries, the interviewees often took a back seat and remained passive. The rationale was that if the neighborhood was created by politicians and urban planners, it was not their responsibility to change it.
Why is this important? In many cities, we are witnessing the concentration of social problems in certain areas, with the concentration and segregation of vulnerable populations. Solving these “problem areas” has become a political priority in many countries. This article emphasizes that these areas are, to a large extent, created from above through city planning policy, including neighborhood and public space naming practices; inter-neighborhood mobility and access; and social housing policy. These planning decisions inform residents’ spatial practices, local identities, and social relations. Because these areas are shaped by political decisions, we suggest that these dynamics can lead to a sense of political disengagement among residents.
Rather than “territories of intervention,” these may become “territories of pity,” wherein even criminals are seen as victims of the system and anti-group sentiments are validated because it is truly "the councilors that are to blame".
Read the full UAR article here.
Marta Neves holds a PhD in Political Science and Public Management from the University of Southern Denmark. Her doctoral research explored the impact of space on intergroup relations and the formation of symbolic boundaries. Before embarking on her PhD, she worked as a researcher for various public and private institutions, with a primary focus on urban sustainability. Currently, she is conducting research on just green transition.
Sara Neves is an architect based in Porto. She completed a master's degree in architecture at the University of Porto, FAUP, and a master's degree in geography at the University of Porto, FLUP. She is one of the founders of s-e arquitetura.