The project “DiverCity – intercultural urban perception”

Abstract

[EN] The project "DiverCity" observes spatial diversity in cities from an intersectional point of view and analyzesdifferent forms of urban life with an interdisciplinary approach. The main reason for this research is given by raising sociocultural coexistences living together in urban spaces; a subject that occupies the man from the beginning of his settlements, actually since the early development of cities. In spite of the social changes that are produced within modern urban lifes, the debate about social life very often seems more a matter rooted in politics than in everyday life itself. Societies generate solutions and create its own concept of coexistence, very since allowing joint relationships between different spheres and social groups. But how is this actually done? These dynamics are precisely the main object of investigation in the "DiverCity" project. It therefore focuses its study on socio-cultural minorities and their perception of urban space. This is basically examined in two cities of different dimensions, a small and larger city in Germany, Lüneburg and Hamburg. The investigated minority groups are Muslims, people with disabilities, homeless people and homosexuals. Using empirical social research methods, especially based on semi-structured interviews and participant observation, the urban and spatial perception of the mentioned groups was examined and compared to each other. The presentation shows the first results of the analyzes carried out in Hamburg and Lüneburg as well as the planned extension of the project and its realization in Argentina.