‘Not Social Mixing’ at a Regenerating Housing Estate in London

This paper examines social mixing at a mixed-tenure neighbourhood in London (England) – a former social housing estate which is undergoing a radical regeneration process. This process involves some rehousing of tenants into newly-built social housing properties, alongside extensive building of large numbers of upmarket ‘luxury’ flats for sale which has brought about a radically changed neighbourhood demographic involving a much more affluent population, alongside visible social and economic signs of gentrification. The paper is based on survey research as well as ethnographic research involving participant observation and semi-structured interviews with residents and officials. The paper explores social mixing between the established social tenants and the newer residents living in the new private housing blocks, and highlights several reasons why such social mixing is extremely limited. The first reason is the way that the social housing blocks are physically separated from the private housing blocks. Secondly, and following on from such physical segregation, is how the spatial focus of the private residents is often the block itself, a process which is reinforced by social media usage, as well as usage of the exclusive gyms and swimming pools which are unavailable to social tenants. Thirdly, are the large socio-demographic differences between the social tenants and the incoming private residents. Fourthly, is the different usage of public space, with the social tenants more likely to attend community centre events, whilst the private incomers are more likely to use the commercial cafes which are prohibitively expensive for social tenants. Fifthly, is the inter-personal tensions which exist between the two groups, in terms of stigma, snobbery and mutual suspicion. The paper concludes that, despite the ubiquitous policy claims which are made for the benefits of mixed-tenure communities, ‘not social mixing’ is the actual result of estate regeneration in this part of London.