D.15. Urban Education, Gentrification and School Segregation: Implications for Education and Social Justice

Cities have become central arenas where contemporary social tensions are concentrated, including widening inequality, persistent poverty, and growing socio-spatial polarization (Musterd et al., 2017). In these contexts, education systems face pressing patterns of segregation and inequalities (Bonal & Bellei, 2018) undermining the role of education in promoting social cohesion, equitable learning opportunities, and democratic participation. Moreover, processes of urban transformation and gentrification often exacerbate divisions, limiting the potential of education to act as a lever for social justice (DeSena, & Ansalone, 2009). This symposium, as part of the Thematic Axis 6, directly addresses the conference theme on the “multidimensionality of poverty” by examining how urban educational landscapes are reshaping educational experiences, identities and processes of teaching and learning in contexts of social and cultural heterogeneity. The session aims to explore the complex and interconnected relationships between urban transformation and educational inequality, as well as its broader implications for democracy and social cohesion. We welcome contributions that investigate:

-        The impacts of gentrification on school choice, enrolment dynamics, socio-economic composition and identities and experiences of educators, families and students

-        Mechanisms and consequences of school segregation and gentrification in urban settings

-        Desegregation initiatives, inclusive policies, and community-based practices designed to counteract these trends

Bringing together empirical research, policy analysis, and critical theoretical perspectives, the panel seeks to open a space for debate on the opportunities and limits of education to confront structural injustices and foster democratic coexistence in rapidly changing urban environments.