About the Thematic Area
How is social value defined, negotiated, and embedded in systems of urban governance? Governance does more than regulate space—it frames collective notions of public interest and legitimizes particular principles as common goods. Yet “social value” remains a fluid and contested idea, subject to competing interpretations and struggles over whose priorities are recognized. This thematic area explores how governance institutions articulate and operationalize social value, how these meanings shape concrete objectives, and why examining such processes is crucial to understanding the societal role of urban governance.
Related Blog Posts
Kampung Susun: Participatory housing design in Jakarta
Urban governance meets polarised realities
Real estate for social purpose
Unlocking social value in property development
Revolutionizing governance through social innovation
A just city through procedural justice
Planning Theory special issue: values in property development
Thematic Highlight
Publication on Social Value in Property Development
This article develops a framework to trace how social value is created across different phases of development—perception, implementation, and operation. By looking at how municipalities and the property industry interact, it shows how social value takes shape in practice. The findings highlight the often-overlooked potential of social value to help planners deliver broader societal benefits, while also revealing the shared interests of public and private actors.
Access the article in European Journal of Spatial Development here.
Related Videos
Related Events
Social Impact and Urban Governance in Practice
Who Benefits? The Spatial Context of Negotiated Community Benefits from Development Projects in Boston
Recognitional Justice and the Politics of Citizen Participation in Urban Development
