Abstract

CARREIRAS, Marina  and  SANTOS, João Rafael. Contributions of public space interventions to socio-spatial integration: the case of social housing neighbourhoods in the Lisbon metropolitan area. Finisterra [online]. 2025, n.130, e39974.  Epub Dec 31, 2025. ISSN 0430-5027.  https://doi.org/10.18055/finis39974.

Public space is frequently regarded as playing a key role in promoting socio-spatial integration. This study reflects on the contributions of public space to socio-spatial integration, with reference to public space enhancement interventions implemented between 1998 and 2023 in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Following a conceptual grounding and presentation of the central theoretical concepts, the research is conducted in two analytical stages: (1) based on documentary analysis, the presence of socio-spatial integration dimensions in the strategies for promoting and financing public space interventions is examined; (2) through spatial analyses, the geographical overlap between public space enhancement interventions and the most vulnerable territories in the metropolitan area is explored, using two criteria: a specific vulnerability index and the spatial distribution of social housing neighbourhoods. While the study does not seek to measure levels of socio-spatial integration, thus avoiding direct comparisons between territories with different needs, the results indicate that socio-spatial integration principles are upheld in urban policy programmes, and that public space enhancement interventions significantly cover the most vulnerable areas.

Keywords : Public space; sociospatial integration; social housing; urban policies; Lisbon Metropolitan Area.

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