Living with difference in hyper-diverse areas: how important are encounters in semi-public spaces?

Peterson, M. (2017) Living with difference in hyper-diverse areas: how important are encounters in semi-public spaces? Social and Cultural Geography, 18(8), pp. 1067-1085. (doi: 10.1080/14649365.2016.1210667)

Abstract

Urban populations increasingly diversify in their socio-economic, cultural, religious and linguistic profiles as well as in their lifestyles, attitudes and activity patterns. This hyper-diversification can complicate feelings of belonging and community. Since diversity is negotiated at the neighbourhood level, micro spaces are central in building communities. Micro spaces tend to be semi-public and stimulate diverse groups to intermingle, which results in on–off as well as repetitive and structural interactions. Understanding the creation and impact of encounters is central to capturing contemporary notions of belonging and living with difference. This paper compares encounters experienced in two semi-public spaces in the hyper-diverse neighbourhood of Feyenoord in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Although encounters at the library were lighter and shorter than at the community-centre, all positively impact collective life in the neighbourhood. At the community-centre, encounters result in light as well as deeper relationships, making visitors feel more at ‘home’ because they recognize others elsewhere in the neighbourhood. At the library, encounters are lighter but visitors become familiar with diversity, making them feel more at ‘home’ and safe in their neighbourhood as well. The study suggests that fleeting encounters require more serious attention within the context of negotiating diversity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research was facilitated within the framework of the EU-sponsored DIVERCITIES (7th Framework Programme, Project No. 319970, see: http://www.urbandivercities.eu).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Peterson, Ms Hannah Melike
• Authors: Peterson, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Social and Cultural Geography
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1464-9365
• ISSN (Online): 1470-1197
• Published Online: 20 July 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Taylor and Francis
• First Published: First published in Social and Cultural Geography 2016
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher