Space and the precariat: labour and land uses in Neoliberal cities and regions

Over the past four decades, neoliberalism has reshaped labour markets and urban–regional planning. This study examines the urban and regional precariat – a growing class shaped by neoliberal policies and marked by precarious work. While planning studies have addressed urban injustices, little attention has been given to the precariat’s interaction with space and its links to land use and satisfaction. To fill this gap, the study explores how the neoliberal city is segmented into precariat types, their use of urban and regional resources, and lifestyle integration across areas.The study examined Israel, where neoliberal reforms began in the 1980s, surveying 352 employees in central and northern regions and assessing their residential environments. Factor analysis identified four precarity types, while statistical analysis evaluated their relation to urban space use and alignment with local services and institutions.The findings reveal distinct precariat types and their varied interactions with land use in neoliberal urban space, emphasizing contrasts between economic cores and peripheral areas. The study challenges the notion of ‘good urbanism’, arguing that mixed land uses may reflect inequalities driven by neoliberal labour markets. It calls for urban strategies addressing precarious employment, improving service access, and ensuring affordable housing.