• University of Amsterdam

• By students,
• Academic

• Construction & Housing,
• Liveability

MSc Thesis UvA - Neighbourhood perceptions in socially-mixed neighbourhoods: A study in the neighbourhoods Geuzenveld, Middenmeer and Weesperzijde in Amsterdam.

By Marien van Grondelle

This thesis aims to gain further insights into the discussion on social cohesion in socially-mixed neighbourhoods by exploring the relationship between neighbourhood perceptions and processes related to social cohesion in three socially-mixed neighbourhoods Geuzenveld, Middenmeer, Weesperzijde in Amsterdam. The main logic for this research is that in socially-mixed neighbourhoods spatial segregation between social groups is limited and therefore differences between social groups are less observable. For this purpose it is expected that residents’ neighbourhood perceptions give an understanding of how social groups generate symbolic boundaries of their neighbourhood in the form of a ‘mental map’. Although this may relate to the administrative and infrastructural boundaries of the neighbourhood, this thesis is interested in to what extend social resources form the basis of these neighbourhood perceptions. Results show that social cohesion in neighbourhood perceptions depend on the context of the neighbourhood; social differences in the form of social exclusion and social networks are decisive for regenerated neighbourhoods, while social differences in consumption practices are more determining in gentrified neighbourhoods.