Ageing in a stigmatised neighbourhood: an intersectional approach to place attachment

This paper explores the social experiences of ageing in a stigmatised neighbourhood, using the “quartier prioritaire” Hautepierre in Stras­bourg (France) as a case study. Through an intersectional lens focus­ing on place attachment, the study reveals how factors such as social networks and architectural barriers influence older adults’ emotional connections to their neighbourhood. Based on nine qualitative inter­views and participant observation, the research highlights diverse ageing-in-place experiences shaped by gender, socioeconomic status and migration background – experiences emerging within the dia­lectic of internal solidarity and external stigmatisation. The findings demonstrate that while some residents maintain strong emotional bonds with their neighbourhood, others face challenges exacerbating feelings of isolation. This study contributes to theoretical debates on ageing in urban contexts, emphasising the transferability of its insights to other stigmatised neighbourhoods. By advocating for intersectional urban planning, the paper underscores the need for context-sensitive approaches addressing the complex interplay of individual and struc­tural factors in urban settings.