3S RECIPE – Smart Shrinkage Solutions: Maastricht (NL) Policy Brief #3. Liveability

Urban shrinkage is about more than population decline. It may undermine local communities and quality of life. This policy brief unravels and tests local policies to maintain or even improve liveability in the case of Maastricht, the Netherlands. Before studying actual policies, the brief first discusses the various and changing interpretations of the concept of liveability. In the Dutch context, liveability is seen to be closely related to neighbourhood-level population compositions. Concentrations of disadvantage are considered threats to liveability by policymakers. The brief therefore looks at policies aiming to mix socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the face of shrinkage. It discusses the intended benefits and necessary conditions, before assessing the future performance of such policies. The brief also pays attention to criticisms of such social mixing policies.