Contested places: Squatting and the construction of `the urban' in Swiss cities

Author: Bieri, Sabin

Source: GeoJournal, Volume 58, Numbers 2-3, October 2002 , pp. 207-215(9)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

This paper examines urban social movements through a case study directed toward housing and urban culture in Berne, Switzerland. Urban movements set the stage for ways of understanding, interpreting, and challenging unspoken norms in city life. Taking an actor-oriented perspective, I focus on subjective motivations in forming a collective movement and relate these to a wider context of social change. The study is based on qualitative interviews with former squatters and participants in the movement.

Keywords: housing; squatting; Switzerland; urban social movements

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:GEJO.0000010841.43388.af

Affiliations: 1: Email: sabin.bieri@giub.unibe.ch

Publication date: 2002-10-01