How to tackle extreme deprivation and socio-spatial segregation? Policy efforts and their results in Hungary

• Published in: Urban research & practice Vol. 2; no. 2; pp. 206 - 217
• Main Authors: Gerőházi, Éva, Somogyi, Eszter, Tosics, Iván
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 16.07.2009
• ISSN: 1753-5069; 1753-5077
• DOI: 10.1080/17535060902992025

Twenty years after the collapse of socialism it is justified to make a stock about the results of the new political and economic system. This paper deals only with a small-but important-aspect: the situation of the most deprived social groups and most segregated areas. How did the magnitude of these groups and areas change? Did their absolute and relative position improve or just the opposite? What effect had the market processes, the national and local level public policies and are there any changes due to the EU accession? The paper starts with a short overview about the last two decades. A short theoretical chapter deals with the interpretation of deprivation and segregation, showing the specialities of the post-socialist countries. This is followed by a short overview of western policies and debates. The main focus is on the analysis of Hungarian policy efforts and their real results. Finally, the impact of the Structural Funds is analysed with some suggestions for changes that potentially could lead to more effective policies.