Action Research on Inclusive Community Regeneration in Dowa Area, a Social Disadvantaged Community

This research is about local impacts of concentrated social disadvantage in a specific urban district, and is discussing these issues by focusing on previous research from Western countries. Further, by analyzing the results of a field survey conducted in this district, I am clarifying the reality of socially disadvantaged areas and the needs of their residents, while seeking results supporting a theory of inclusive area revitalization. With this survey I could verify that the aging of local residents and the concentration of low-income population is increasing, and in this district an unbalanced community mix is becoming apparent. Currently, insecurities concerning economic and health aspects are the most serious issues. In response to the residents` needs counseling on housing issues and social services, that become necessary with advancing age, like health services or housing support, are increasingly required. Since today laws for antidiscrimination (namely, Dowa) measures are outdated it is necessary to establish a community based approach or a neighborhood based governance model, in addition to the existing public support, as response to these local challenges and needs.