Progress Towards Just Cities

Abstract

In recent decades a revival of interest in questions of redistributive justice in cities has occurred, based especially on the value of ‘fairness’. This issue has become more relevant with recognition of the negative features of globalization and the effects of the neo-liberal agendas adopted by governments in many western countries, which has led to increasing inequalities, underlain by more contributionist ideologies, and limited public engagement or influence in the planning process. A brief review of the historical background to questions of redistributive justice is followed by summaries of the utility of the various suggestions for creating greater fairness in cities, such as the communicative, basic needs and capabilities approaches, in addition to ʻrights to the city’ ideas. This emphasis leads to a review of Feinstein’s recommendations for creating greater social justice in cities, which provide practical policy guides in the major categories of Equity, Democracy and Diversity. Her 14 examples are extended to 23 cases, while a number of additional problems faced by cities in implementing these ideas are discussed, especially the vital need to create changes in the societal context to promote support for policies of redistributive justice.