Att styra segregation : En WPR-analys av hur segregation konstrueras i Karlstads kommunspolicyarbete kring områdesutveckling

Sammanfattning

This study examines how segregation is constructed as a political problem in municipal policyin Karlstad Municipality. The analysis focuses on how segregation is represented in policydocuments and how area-based development is legitimized as a strategy for addressingsocioeconomic inequalities. The study is based on a qualitative text analysis of municipalpolicy documents connected to social sustainability and the development initiative inGruvlyckan.The theoretical framework is based on Carol Bacchi´s “What´s the Problem Represented tobe?” (WPR) approach, inspired by poststructuralism and discourse theory. The findings showthat segregation is primarily constructed as a socioeconomic and geographically localizedproblem connected to unequal living conditions, insecurity and limited social participation.Area-based development is framed as a legitime solution, while broader structural factorssuch as housing market structures and economic inequality receive less attention in the policydocuments.