Journal of Urban Affairs· 2026Q1
Urbicide through developer-led neglect: Contested narratives of the Half-Bap redevelopment
- 0citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Developer-led neglect in Belfast's Half-Bap area exemplifies 'neoliberal urbicide,' where aggressive redevelopment plans fail to materialize, leading to physical and social decay, contrary to media and developer narratives.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Introduces 'urbicide by developer-led neglect' as a distinct form of neoliberal urbicide.
- Examines the Half-Bap redevelopment in Belfast as a case study.
- Highlights the discrepancy between developer/media narratives and the lived experiences of locals.
- Utilizes discourse analysis of media/planning meetings and interviews with residents.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
This paper explores the phenomenon of urbicide through developer-led neglect, examining the socio-political and economic factors that support aggressive redevelopment practices. We conceptualise urbicide by developer-led neglect as a strand of neoliberal urbicide that fails to deliver any redevelopment, drawing from the case study of the Half Bap in Belfast. We examine how the structures of power and influence have been represented by media, developers, and advertising, contrasting these narratives with the actual degradation of the area’s physical and social fabric. Using discourse analysis of media and planning meetings as well as interviews with locals, we highlight the asymmetry between developer discourse, media-promoted visions of urban renewal and the lived experience of locals. This paper aims to contribute to urban studies, by understanding the impact of developer-led neglect on the physical and social fabric of a city.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Journal of Urban Affairs, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Urban Studies
Urban StudiesSocial Sciences