 |
Since the middle of the last century, the planning of many residential areas has been based on the assumption that a socially mixed community is a desirable goal and that housing planners can reach real social mix, interaction, awareness and a “feeling of community”.
As early as 1849, a British industrialist proposing a new “model town” for his employees claimed that “the highest degree of health, contentment, morality and enjoyment yet seen in any existing community” would result if his town of New Victoria were peopled by “an adequate number of inhabitants with such due proportions between the agricultural and manufacturing classes and between the possessors of capital, skills and labour” (Buckingham, 1849).
Some writers have argued that without a heterogeneous population a neighborhood cannot provide the choices and experiences necessary for a meaningful life. Others argue that age mix is essential if community organizations are to have effective leadership.
But there are situations where forcing the mixing of people is not a “good” idea. So, having social mix is always good? Can there be “bad” social mix?
No comments:
Post a Comment