Speaker
Description
Since migration is an urban reality, many cities are unavoidably associated with the politics of multiculturalism. However, multiculturalism refers to a variety of incomplete and everchanging political strategies and processes in different countries, calling for a rethinking of the social and spatial integration of immigrants and new ways to live together for urban planners and designers. In contemporary Portugal, where over 8% of the population is comprised of foreign nationals, reaching approximately 11% in the capital city of Lisbon, the multifaceted concept of inclusion brings out unique challenges. While Lisbon has a rich multicultural history, the city is confronted with the imperative of transforming into an inclusive space that embraces diversity. To face these challenges, Lisbon recognizes its complex socio-cultural realm and aims to achieve high standards for a city for all. For instance, in the European Council’s intercultural city index (ICC), Lisbon had the first spot in 2014 and 2018 with its good innovative practices to integrate different cultures. Also, in the 2023-2027 report “Main Development Strategies” of the Lisbon City Council, there are policies indicating a participatory city underlining the citizen participation (participatory budgeting, local citizen council) and provision of open data. However, from a spatial integration perspective, the integration methods and their results, especially in public space and everyday life practices are open for a closer analysis.
Traditionally in theory and practice, integration policies focus on key aspects such as employment, housing, education, health, citizenship rights and overcoming language barriers. In Lisbon, too, policies and innovative technologies are utilized to ease migrants’ integration into the bureaucratic 'system'. However, when it is about the integration of (less-privileged) migrants to urban space, where principles of social and spatial justice must be actively considered, there seem to be gaps or deficiencies in existing research and ongoing initiatives. For instance, in a recent urban regeneration program in the historical Mouraria neighborhood at the city center, the multiculturality of the area is advertised with the slogan “visiting the world without leaving Lisbon” and followed by several urban interventions from public space regenerations to city-scale events. Despite contributing to the area's touristic attractions, these methods neither precisely address nor solve the socio-spatial needs of the foreign populations living there. Today, there are several examples of participatory design activities for public space requalifications. Still, not all the dimensions of spatial justice such as distributive, recognitional and procedural aspects are met. Moreover, as xenophobic policies persist, public spaces predominantly used by migrants have increasingly become the targets of hostile actions and police controls sparking significant public backlash and highlighting the growing urgency of this issue.
This study aims to critically analyze the ‘multiculturality’ of Lisbon and the presence of spatial integration policies for migrants in the city by examining policy documents and strategy reports. For this, case studies of recent participatory public space design projects (such as Martim Moniz Square and Almirante Reis Avenue) will be consulted to see whether integration policies are used solely as a tool to promote city’s image or as an aim to achieve inclusion, while also questioning the possible role of urbanists, planners and designers in these processes. The final objective is to open the nuanced differences between spatial integration and inclusion into urban planning and design. First findings suggest a focus on design of spaces rather than on processes, which might compromise the success of public spaces in terms of stimulating multiculturality. Additionally, the final remarks aim to reflect on the potential role of practitioners and researchers in shaping urban spaces that promote inclusivity meeting the socio-spatial needs of diverse populations.
| Keywords | multiculturality; public space; participatory planning and design; migration; spatial integration |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
