NVC > Publikationer > Overcoming barriers to social inclusion in Nordic cities through policy and planning – Executive Summary
Overcoming barriers to social inclusion in Nordic cities through policy and planning – Executive Summary
Integration
17 nov 2020
Nordic cities have traditionally been characterised by low levels of segregation and inequality. However, in recent years there has been growing concern about increasing disparities between different population groups, which is reflected in increased socio-economic and ethnic segregation in many cities. Against this backdrop, Nordic governments and cities have taken action to promote social inclusion and to reduce segregation through their approach to policy and urban planning.
This study examines how Nordic governments and municipalities seek to overcome barriers to social inclusion. The notion of overcoming barriers to inclusion encompasses the aim of improving the terms upon which different individuals and groups can take part in society, while at the same time counteracting the negative effects of inequality and segregation. The focus is particularly on small and mediumsized cities. These have received less attention than larger urban areas in policy and scholarly debates about urban inequality, even though they often face similar challenges to those of larger cities, and play an important role in working towards inclusion.
Different examples of policy and planning initiatives to create more inclusive cities and communities can be found across all the Nordic countries. However, inclusion is a multifaceted issue and dealing with it is a complex and challenging task. To capture the diversity of different approaches to promote social inclusion within the Nordic
countries, this report examines five different but interrelated case studies, each of which are outlined in the following pages.
