Urban poverty in Switzerland : exclusion processes and public policy

Abstract. Poverty is lodged in the heart of abundance itself. The weakening of the social fabric is particularly apparent in cities: the deskilling of labor, the decline in social and symbolic Status, isolation, and the loss of social protection due to the crisis of the welfare State constitute different aspects of exclusion. Urban poverty also appears as a denial of citizenship. This article applies a pluralistic approach in studying urban poverty. It also suggests organizing principles as a basis for transforming and "territorializing" of public social policy instruments in the city.