Imposed from above or applied for from below: comparing Dutch and Danish social mix strategies in deprived neighbourhoods

This paper compares social mix strategies in Denmark and the Netherlands, focusing on policy rationale, policy instruments and the role of the national government. Physical restructuring of the housing stock and housing allocation criteria are the main instruments used in both countries. A notable difference is the role of the national government. In the Netherlands, urban policies have been decentralised in the last decades and national government funding has largely disappeared. Municipalities must apply before they can use certain measures. In Denmark, the national governance in relation to deprived areas is much stronger and using social mix measures in selected neighbourhoods is mandatory. The comparison shows that differences in governance of social mix strategies can have important consequences for housing rights and could also have an impact on the policies’ effectiveness.