
New Books in Economics Ioana Florea et al., "Contemporary Housing Struggles: A Structural Field of Contention Approach" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022)
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Jun 7, 2022 Ioana Florea, a sociologist studying urban development in Romanian cities, Agnes Godj, who investigates social movements and economic integration, and Kerstin Jakobson, a Professor of Sociology, share insights on housing struggles in Budapest and Bucharest. They analyze the impact of financialization on inequality and the mobilization of marginalized communities like the Roma. The discussion highlights the concept of a 'structural field of contention,' examining how local political factors shape housing activism and the complex dynamics of social movements in Eastern Europe.
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Unique Position of Bucharest and Budapest
- Bucharest and Budapest offer unique perspectives on housing struggles because of their specific position within the European context after 2008.
- These cities experienced similar housing financialization trends but with distinct political and social contexts.
Homeownership Does Not Equal Security
- High homeownership rates in Bucharest and Budapest don't equate to housing security.
- Many homeowners face overcrowding, precarious ownership, or shared ownership within large families.
Bucharest's Housing Rights Mobilizations
- To understand Bucharest's housing rights mobilizations, one must examine the history of property restitution and evictions starting in the early 2000s.
- This involved privatizing state housing, often with existing tenants, leading to foundational housing struggles.

