Undivided cities in the Netherlands: Present situation and political rhetoric

In various countries we observe governments aiming to produce mixed income areas to reduce or prevent spatial segregation. This almost always implies a redifferentiation, or restructuring of the housing stock of low-income ar eas. This strategy has its advantages and disadvantages. Redifferentiation and restructuring are based on the idea that solutions to the problems of s patial segregation and concentration can be found in the housing stock. Thi s is also the case in the Netherlands. Since 1997, the Dutch Government has advocated a housing policy promoting a restructuring of urban neighbourhoo ds by building more expensive dwellings in traditionally low-income areas i n order to influence the income mix in these neighbourhoods, thereby implyi ng that this is a positive and feasible development. This paper will focus on the goals of the undivided cities formulated by the Dutch Government and the arguments concerning the relation between segregation and restructurin g of the urban housing stock. The paper will also examine the income mix an d income segregation in Dutch urban areas itself. Is there any reason to ai m at a larger spatial differentiation of income?