Umweltbezogene Gerechtigkeit in Halle (Saale) – eine Analyse des Ist-Zustands am Beispiel von Silberhöhe und Neustadt

Abstract

Social inequality as well as climate change and the associated environmental pollution are two of the central issues that concern politics and society. The discourse on environmental justice connects these two subject areas and examines to which extent socio-economically disadvantaged groups are also particularly exposed to environmental pollution. More recent research approaches refer not only to questions of distribution, but also to other dimensions of justice, such as participation and equal opportunities. The paper examines how and where environmental injustices are present in Halle (Saale). After a general overview about the distribution in the whole city, it focuses on the environmental equity in two GDR housing complexes: Halle-Silberhöhe and Halle-Neustadt. In addition to statistical data, information from interviews is used to analyze the remaining dimensions of environmental justice. It turns out that inequalities in environmental equity exist only to a little extent in Halle (Saale), but that the other dimensions of environmental justice could be improved. The chance for participation heavily depends for example on general living conditions. Even if the municipality shows a lot of commitment in social and environmental issues, a closer link between the two areas would be desirable.