“What is the alternative? Not trying to mix? Nah.” A case study on housing and social mix policies within physical planning in Malmö, Sweden

Abstract: Residential segregation is seen as a growing problem within many urban areas today. Segregation is assumed to hamper social integration and the life-chances of disadvantaged as well as creating instability in society. One policy measure to deal with residential segregation is to increase the variation in the housing structure. This is assumed to create a social mix, that in turn will generate positive neighbourhood effects. This is a prevailing policy discourse, even if the research field is inconclusive, and some scholars claim that social mix policies can increase segregation by promoting processes of gentrification. This thesis conducts a case study on the housing and social mix policies in Malmö, Sweden. Through an analysis of official planning documents and interviews with officials, policymakers and other professionals, the aim of the study is to problematise housing and social mix policies by focusing on strategies, challenges and potential risks. Three main strategies are found which are a mix of tenure forms, breaking barriers and a mix of functions. Furthermore, the thesis finds that there are many challenges with the implementation of the strategies which relates to the logic within neoliberal urbanism where the municipality has to plan in relation to the market. Another challenge is the vagueness and self-evident role of the ideal within physical planning, which means that the content can vary. Some potential risks of the strategies are displacement and increased rent-levels, which lead to less affordable housing.