DIVERCITIES - The Challenge of Governing Urban Diversity

DIVERCITIES - The Challenge of Governing Urban Diversity

Marie Jahoda Summer School of Sociology

3rd – 9th of July 2016, Vienna

European cities today are more diverse than ever before. Immigration, socio-economic inequalities, spatial segregation and a diversity of identities and lifestyles are all contributing factors. The challenges faced by urban policymakers and institutions to meet the needs of Europe’s increasingly diverse population are numerous and complex.

The principal aim of the DIVERCITIES Summer School is to elaborate and discuss how Europe can benefit from diversity. Our central hypothesis is that urban diversity is an asset. It can inspire creativity and innovation, create cities that are more livable and harmonious, stimulate local and national economies and make European cities more competitive.

Urban diversity can be a strength rather than a burden. It can positively affect social cohesion, social mobility and economic performance. But a re-think of public policies and governance models is needed to make more intelligent use of diversity’s potential.

Guiding Questions:

  • What are the positive and negative effects of socio-economic, socio-demographic, ethnic, and cultural diversity for society, the city and the urban economy?
  • Is there convincing evidence on the positive contribution of diversity to the crucial outcomes of social cohesion, economic performance and social mobility?
  • What is the role of existing policies and governance arrangements, in content as well as in form, in promoting beneficial aspects of urban diversity?

The DIVERCITIES Summer School takes place from the  3rd to  the 9th of July 2016 in Vienna (Austria).

The DIVERCITIES Summer School is organised within the project DIVERCITIES – Governing Urban Diversity financed by the European Commission and the Marie Johoda Summer Schools Series by the Department of Sociology.

Organiser: Prof. Yuri Kazepov

Organisational Assistance: Kristina Eisfeld, Mirjam Pot

 Download

Marie Jahoda Summer School DIVERCITIES, 3rd – 9th of July 2016, Copyright: Y. Kazepov