When inclusion excludes: Challenging social mixing as a solution to educational inequality through the lens of gentrification

Goossens, Cédric; Utlu, Iremgül; Bradt, Lieve; Oosterlynck, Stijn

doi:10.1080/07352166.2025.2533284

Article (Scientific journals)

When inclusion excludes: Challenging social mixing as a solution to educational inequality through the lens of gentrification

Goossens, Cédric; Utlu, Iremgül; Bradt, Lieve et al.

2025 • In Journal of Urban Affairs: the Journal of the Urban Affairs Association

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https://hdl.handle.net/2268/335442

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10.1080/07352166.2025.2533284

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Keywords :

gentrification; educational inequality; social mix; desegregation; segregation

Abstract :

[en] Social mixing or desegregation is frequently presented as a means to reduce inequalities affecting minoritized and low-income communities not only in neighborhoods but also in schools. Building on the emerging literature on school gentrification, this study examines this master narrative by centering the experiences of minoritized working-class families in a gentrifying inner-city school in Ghent, Belgium. Using interview data, we argue that social mixing does not necessarily eliminate existing inequalities but can, in fact, generate new ones. The article concludes by outlining key implications for future research, policy and practice.

Research Center/Unit :

RUCHE - Research Unit for a life-Course perspective on Health & Education - ULiège

Disciplines :

Education & instruction
Human geography & demography
Sociology & social sciences

Author, co-author :

Goossens, Cédric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des Sciences de l'éducation > Equité dans les systèmes et dispositifs éducatifs (RFIE)

Utlu, Iremgül; UCL - Catholic University of Louvain

Bradt, Lieve; UGent - Ghent University

Oosterlynck, Stijn; UA - University of Antwerp

Language :

English

Title :

When inclusion excludes: Challenging social mixing as a solution to educational inequality through the lens of gentrification

Publication date :

08 August 2025

Journal title :

Journal of Urban Affairs: the Journal of the Urban Affairs Association

ISSN :

0735-2166

Publisher :

Taylor & Francis, United Kingdom

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 26 August 2025

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