Poverty and social exclusion: An alternative spatial explanation

Krzysztofik Robert (), Dymitrow Mirek (), Grzelak-Kostulska Elżbieta () and Biegańska Jadwiga ()
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Krzysztofik Robert: University of Silesia, Faculty of Earth Science, Department of Economic Geography, 60 Będzińska st., 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
Dymitrow Mirek: University of Gothenburg, School of Business, Economics and Law, Department of Economy and Society – Unit for Human Geography, Viktoriagatan 13, 411 25 Gothenburg, Sweden
Biegańska Jadwiga: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Department of Urban Studies and Regional Development, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland

Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, 2017, vol. 35, issue 35, 45-64

Abstract: Poverty and social exclusion remain some of the biggest concerns in the face of obtaining social sustainability. In this respect, the continuing immense spatial differences between individual localities of seemingly similar characteristics have puzzled social scientists for decades. In quest for a better understanding, this article highlights the role of spatial heterogeneity as a factor conducive to the formation of functionally derelict areas, which in turn play a crucial role in the formation of spatial mismatch. Using two case studies from Poland, one from a big city and one from a small village, we explore the relationality between the phenomena of spatial heterogeneity, functional dereliction and spatial mismatch, whose mutual reinforcement seems to lead to a specific kind of deprivation in terms of scale and intensity. Special attention is paid to the role of spatial heterogeneity, which under certain conditions is capable of changing from being a developmental stimulant to becoming a destimulant. We argue that taking greater account of the intricate historical contexts responsible for the resistance of some pressing socio-economic problems is key to breaking the deadlock in the implementation of ineffective sustainability policies.

Keywords: spatial heterogeneity; functional dereliction; spatial mismatch; social deprivation; Poland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:buogeo:v:35:y:2017:i:35:p:45-64:n:4

DOI: 10.1515/bog-2017-0004

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