Symbolic trajectories in action: Digital technologies and representations of a stigmatized neighborhood

Abstract

The symbolic standing of a neighborhood has material consequences, and stigmatized neighborhoods are often locked into a disadvantageous position. So far scholars have mostly studied neighborhood change in terms of degradation or upgrading, but we adopt a complex perspective that accounts for the contested nature of the processes shaping “symbolic trajectories.” Seeking to gauge the role played by digital technologies in these processes, we studied a neighborhood in The Hague, the Netherlands. We report on our conceptual framework and research design, ethical protocols, as well as our findings and their implications. Our research combines a qualitative approach to the field with computational analyses. We investigate social media posts spanning a decade to understand how they align with symbolic trajectories. Our findings reveal competing symbolic trajectories sponsored by different kinds of actors, with a slight trend toward fewer denigrating representations. The relative divestment of major institutions from the neighborhood leaves greater room for maneuver for everyday users and resident initiatives in shaping the neighborhood image.