Nelcy Echeverria Castro (p), Juan Eduardo Chica, Andres Rueda

Juan Eduardo Chica-Mejía

Social housing in Colombia has historically been defined as a housing solution aimed at
low-income sectors of the population. It is also the type of housing with the highest
demand in the country. The area of social housing in the country has shown a decrease
over the years; it has gone from a minimum area of 80 square meters in 1980, to 60
square meters by 1993, and to 45 square meters by 2004 (Orozco, 2018). This does not
directly speak of a decrease in quality, but of an increasingly limited size and a constant
increase in density, as it is expected to build more and cheaper to meet a growing
demand but bringing as an indirect consequence an increase in housing standardization.
In this sense, the research question that guides this article is What particularities does
the qualitative deficit of social interest housing projects present between cities with
particular social, cultural, and geographical dynamics? Thus, the aim is to understand
how the problem raised about the qualitative deficit in social housing (VIS for its Spanish
acronym) is expressed in different cities of the country. A mixed methodology with
quantitative and qualitative techniques is used to analyze the qualitative deficit in social
housing complexes. The quantitative component will characterize the quality of
communal spaces and housing units of each sample, based on measurements and
analysis variables, taking as a data source planimetries of the housing complexes.
Additionally, structured surveys will be applied to a representative sample of residents
about their degree of satisfaction with the design, materiality, and comfort of the
housing. The qualitative component will characterize the perception of housing quality
from residents and other actors from the public sector and private entities linked to the
design and production of social housing. This analysis will be done based on semi-
structured interviews. The results show that the qualitative deficit of social housing is
confirmed due to the decrease in housing size, construction materials, and little
consideration of the cultural, demographic, and social dynamics of those who inhabit
them. There is a standardization and lack of adaptation of the common spaces of social
housing complexes to the social and cultural particularities of the territories, prioritizing
the reduction of construction costs and access to low land rents, over other
socioeconomic and cultural factors.

Juan Eduardo Chica-Mejía (p), Laura Amézquita , Andrés Rueda, Nelcy Echeverría

Nelcy Echeverria Castro

Segregation has been a process inherent to urban growth processes, both from a functional and social perspective, manifested in the differential location of social groups. In this sense, socio-spatial segregation is expressed in cities through an unequal distribution of social groups, which leads to unequal access to land and urban infrastructure. Consequently, the research questions guiding this paper is how does the Social Housing (VIS for its Spanish acronym) market impact the patterns of socio-spatial segregation in urban border territories in Bogotá, Colombia? specifically in the Usme sector, to the southeast of the city. Likewise, another research question emerges: how does the production of VIS contribute to the reduction of socio-spatial segregation? or if, on the contrary, is this housing supply contributing to accelerate these processes? Therefore, it seeks to verify how the supply of social housing is largely subject to the dynamics of the real estate market, especially due to the high value of urban land. Consequently, this housing tends to be located in the lowest-priced lands in cities, many of them border territories, reproducing patterns of socio-spatial segregation and structural conditions of socioeconomic marginality. The methodology is proposed from a multidimensional and multi-scalar approach with the use of quantitative methods, from the formulation of an index to measure the socio-spatial segregation associated with this model of social housing production. The construction of the Socio-Spatial Segregation Index (hereinafter ISES) seeks the inclusion of different dimensions of urban life that synthesize the complex phenomenon of segregation without being limited to a simple measure of population distribution. This composite index aims to capture five dimensions that, in the strict sense, are desirable for social integration in the city, and therefore, are considered contrary to segregation; thus, in the formal expression of the ISES these five dimensions. The results show that social housing tends to be located in urban border areas, contributing to processes of socio-spatial segregation of vulnerable communities and thus exacerbating processes of inequity and spatial marginalization, especially due to the absence of good connectivity, aggravated by the greater distance to employment centralities, facilities, and public transport stations. Additionally, the case study shows the persistence of low levels of human capital, as well as greater deficits in the consolidation of urban form, in aspects of territory functionality, manifested in a lower land value

Nelcy Echeverria Castro (p)

Diego Buitrago-Mora

This study examines the dynamics of socio-spatial segregation and peripheral urbanisation in Bogotá, focusing on Usme, a neighbourhood characterised by informal settlements and large-scale social housing projects. It explores how social housing policies, rather than reducing inequality, have reinforced segregation by concentrating low-income populations in peripheral areas with limited infrastructure, public services and economic opportunities. The research highlights how these patterns of urbanisation contribute to wider spatial inequalities and environmental challenges in rapidly expanding cities in the Global South.
The study aims to analyse the relationship between social housing production and socio-spatial segregation, identify the socio-economic and environmental dynamics that characterise peripheral urbanisation in the Usme, and propose effective strategies to promote more equitable and sustainable urban development. Using a multi-scale methodology, it examines macro-level policy frameworks, meso-level spatial transformations and micro-level experiences of residents. Findings indicate that market-driven land allocation has resulted in social housing developments being located predominantly on the periphery of the city, thereby exacerbating socio-economic disparities. The lack of integrated urban planning has resulted in fragmented development, inadequate public transport and limited access to employment centres. In addition, urban expansion into ecologically sensitive areas has led to environmental degradation and increased climate vulnerability, exacerbating the marginalisation of low-income communities.
Despite these challenges, Usme residents demonstrate resilience through self-built housing adaptations, community networks and informal economic activities. However, the lack of participatory planning processes has limited their ability to influence housing policies and urban development strategies. The study highlights the need for a paradigm shift in urban planning, advocating for policies that integrate peripheral areas into the broader metropolitan framework through equitable distribution of services, multimodal transport systems and climate-resilient infrastructure.
This research contributes to academic and policy debates on urban inequality and housing in the Global South. It highlights the importance of inclusive, equitable planning that prioritises spatial integration, environmental sustainability and the active participation of marginalised communities. By recognising the agency of marginalised residents, policy makers and urban planners can develop policies that promote more equitable and resilient cities.

Diego Buitrago-Mora (p), Clementine Cottineau-Mugadza

Nelcy Echeverria Castro

The Netherlands has long been recognized for its effective social rental housing system, which provides affordable housing for low-income households. With over a third of its housing stock dedicated to social housing, the country has maintained relatively low income segregation and high sociospatial mobility. However, reforms since the late 1980s have shifted decision-making from national authorities to local municipalities, narrowing the mission of housing associations. The introduction of the 90% rule in 2010 exemplifies this shift, requiring that at least 90% of newly available social housing units be allocated to households below the DAEB income limit.

This study examines how the 90% rule has affected local economic segregation between 2007 and 2022. By restricting social housing primarily to low-income households, the policy may have contributed to increased spatial concentration of poverty. While the regulation aimed to address competition concerns between subsidized housing corporations and private landlords, its unintended consequences on local income segregation remain underexplored.

Using administrative georeferenced data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), we analyze shifts in the share of low-income households at the 500m grid level. A shift-share decomposition separates the policy effect from broader economic and demographic trends. We measure local economic segregation using Moran’s I, capturing spatial clustering of income levels within a given buffer. Finally, a two-stage least squares (2SLS) approach assesses the causal link between policy changes and segregation patterns.

Our findings contribute to understanding how housing policy shapes spatial income distribution. By evaluating whether stricter allocation rules intensified segregation, we offer insights for designing policies that balance targeted allocation with income integration, ensuring social housing remains an effective tool for social equity.