Marginalized and monitored: A qualitative study on homelessness criminalization in Utrecht’s shopping mall Hoog Catharijne

Abstract

Today, scholars speak of a trend named criminalization of homelessness as society’s marginalized groups increasingly face so-called experience anti-homeless laws and being excluded from public spaces. At the same time, municipalities privatize public space to recapture territory, for example transforming them into shopping malls. Utrecht’s Hoog Catharijne, sharing a long history with homeless people, is such secured environment.

This study shows that, after its completion of the renovation back in 2017, those unhoused and that their stay is discouraged due to variety of measures taken. As such, negative consequences are experienced as the vulnerable group’s social status is lowered, and economic opportunities are decreasing.