Abstract:
After describing the challenges, myths, exclusions and opportunities of urban regeneration,
this article explores the potential interface between faith-based action and different forms of
urban regeneration. Focusing on different South African cities, it considers how faith-based
action could participate in regenerative urban work. Faith-based action will refer to the varied
responses of churches and faith-based organisations to urban challenges and transitions. It
interrogates whether faith-based action only represents many similar approaches that address
urban problems superficially without mediating long-term, systemic change, or whether it
indeed contributes to urban transformation in the sense of radical inclusivity and sociostructural
spatial justice. Finally, it considers socio-theological sources that could potentially
ground urban faith-based action theologically – such as an urban spirituality, an understanding
of regeneration as integral liberation and mobilising socio-spiritual capital – whilst making a
distinctive contribution to the processes of socially inclusive urban regeneration.
