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Abstract

Social scientists in the Netherlands have pleaded for circumspection when using the colonial paradigm to discuss racism, at times ignoring the latent racialization of post-colonial migrants in political and academic discourses throughout the later half of the twentieth century. This has led to a lack of critical reflection regarding the position of the post-colonial migrant in contemporary Dutch society. This paper describes the historical and social contexts surrounding two housing renewal projects in Amsterdam’s Bijlmer to illustrate how presuppositions regarding post-colonial citizens, race relations and neo-liberal urban restructuring have brought about an unequal approach to urban renewal in a historically Afro-Dutch neighbourhood.

Keywords

Amsterdam Bijlmer Netherlands race urban renewal

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Exploring notions of fair practice in urban renewal and the position of post-colonial citizens in Amsterdam’s Bijlmer

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