Economic growth devoid of social progress: the situation in Brussels
Notes de la rédaction
This is the press release related to the article from Gilles Van Hamme, Isaline Wertz, Valérie Biot, published March the 28th 2011. Read the article.
Brussels is increasingly rich and the inhabitants of Brussels are increasingly poor. This abrupt observation regarding a city which does not allow all of its population to benefit from its economic growth applies to many European cities. From this point of view, however, the situation in Brussels is particularly alarming.
This is the observation made by Gilles Vanhamme, Isaline Wertz and Valérie Biot in the 48th issue of Brussels Studies. In their article, they make a comparison of the socioeconomic evolutions in Brussels and the other major Belgian cities (Antwerp, Charleroi, Ghent and Liege), and attempt to understand why the growth in Brussels does not produce a noticeable improvement in the social situation.
With post-industrial growth creating inequalities and exclusion of low-skilled labour, and urban polarisation which puts the inhabitants of certain neighbourhoods at a disadvantage, the challenges are considerable. On the one hand, the demand for qualified labour is increasing, whilst low-skilled labour is decreasing drastically. On the other hand, a `location effect is being felt`: all else being equal, the inhabitants of certain neighbourhoods have notably less chance than others of fitting into the labour market and of benefiting from growth. In any case, vulnerable populations are left to fend for themselves.
The authors point out the limited character of the Region`s means of action. They also question the use of focusing regional policies on issues regarding international competitiveness, whilst growth `at a higher level` reinforces inequalities. Furthermore, the discourse which consists in pointing out a supposed discrepancy between the labour offer and demand is questioned.
The Region is asked to reconsider its priorities and areas of intervention, in order to help a population affected by poverty in an economically prosperous city.
References
Van Hamme, Gilles, Wertz, Isaline and Biot, Valérie “Economic growth devoid of social progress: the situation in Brussels”, Brussels Studies [Online], General collection, No 48, March the 28th 2011. URL: https://journals.openedition.org/brussels/857
Contact
Benjamin Wayens, Senior Editor: bwayens[at]brusselsstudies.be