Faith-based action and urban regeneration

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Authors

De Beer, Stephanus Francois

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

AOSIS Open Journals

Abstract

After describing the challenges, myths, exclusions and opportunities of urban regeneration, this article explores the potential interface between faith-based action and different forms of urban regeneration. Focusing on different South African cities, it considers how faith-based action could participate in regenerative urban work. Faith-based action will refer to the varied responses of churches and faith-based organisations to urban challenges and transitions. It interrogates whether faith-based action only represents many similar approaches that address urban problems superficially without mediating long-term, systemic change, or whether it indeed contributes to urban transformation in the sense of radical inclusivity and sociostructural spatial justice. Finally, it considers socio-theological sources that could potentially ground urban faith-based action theologically – such as an urban spirituality, an understanding of regeneration as integral liberation and mobilising socio-spiritual capital – whilst making a distinctive contribution to the processes of socially inclusive urban regeneration.

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Keywords

Urban regeneration, Faith-based action, Churches, Transitions

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

De Beer, S.F., 2018, ‘Faith-based action and urban regeneration’, HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 74(3), a5168. https://DOI.org/10.4102/hts.v74i3.5168.