CFP: The Challenge of Diversity: Does Urban Diversity Contribute to the Ideal City? ISA RC21 International Conference ‘The Ideal City: between myth and reality. Representations, policies, contradictions and challenges for tomorrows urban life’ STREAM H: Well-being in cities Cities are becoming more diverse. This increasing diversity, associated with migration, different lifestyles within and between groups, and spatial segregation in terms of ethnicity and socio-economic variables, leads to diverse and usually unequal opportunities for different groups of urban residents. Within cities, quite a number of neighbourhoods also show a large diversity, often accompanied by large differences in lifestyles and socioeconomic inequality. Within such neighbourhoods residents may live spatially mixed or more separated. Diversity within cities and neighbourhoods can create problems, such as feelings of discomfort, clashing values and norms, conflicts in or over public space, racism and even open conflicts on the streets. Diverse cities and neighbourhoods can however also create opportunities for their residents: the presence of different people in a relatively small area creates possibilities for new social contacts, social cohesion, innovative practices of solidarity in diversity, and social mobility. Whether diversity has positive or negative effects depends partly on policies and local initiatives that stimulate social contacts and collaboration between the different groups present in the area. The guiding question for this stream is: To what extent does urban diversity contribute to the ideal city in terms of social and socio-economic outcomes? The stream aims to bring together scholars from different parts of the world who are working on the social and socioeconomic effects of urban diversity. Papers may focus on all kinds of aspects of diversity (e.g., socio-economic, socio-demographic, ethnic and/or cultural diversities, but also diversity in lifestyles, attitudes and activities). We are looking for contributions in the following subthemes: · - The effects of urban diversity on social contacts: Do residents of diverse neighbourhoods have their contacts within these neighbourhoods or not? Why are social contacts of some groups of people more local than others? · - Urban diversity and social cohesion: Why are some diverse urban neighbourhoods more cohesive than others? · - The relation between urban diversity and social inequality: How does urban and neighbourhood diversity affect social mobility? Which groups seem to profit from diversity, which ones not? · - Urban diversity and social solidarity: Do residents of mixed neighbourhoods find help among their neighbours? What are the sources of solidarity in diverse neighbourhoods (values, interests, interdependencies, etc.)? Which new forms of solidarity can be found in mixed areas? · - Urban diversity and quality of life: Does diversity contribute to the well-being of urban residents? To what extent is diversity in neighbourhoods a contributor to happiness? · - Opinions about diversity: How do residents of diverse neighbourhoods perceive urban diversity? · - Urban diversity and policies: Which urban policies have been successful in making diversity into an asset? Does planning for diversity work? What is the role of professionals in promoting living in diversity? Which local initiatives have created a good seedbed for social cohesion and social mobility and solidarity? Organizers: Thomas Maloutas (Harokopio University, Athens, GR); Stijn Oosterlynck (University of Antwerp, BE); Nicos Souliotis (EKKE, Athens, GR); Ronald van Kempen (Utrecht University, NL). Contacts: [email protected] Deadline for abstracts is 31 januari 2015. See for more information: rc21.org/en/conferences/urbino2015/
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 11:05:16 +0000