Integrating Immigrants into Neighbourhoods

Description

The discussion of different viewpoints regarding the issue of integration is followed by a presentation of good practise examples of neighbourhood policy efforts to increase the socio-spatial integration of immigrants in German cities. They include measures in the field of education and learning, the support of ethnic economy, projects aiming at increasing participation of immigrants, opening up social services and government to interculturality, addressing issues of safety, improving public spaces and activities to foster interaction between different groups of inhabitants.

Background information

The paper links experiences from Difu’s research on the integration of immigrants focussing on housing or participation and also from Difu’s research on Germany’s Socially Integrative City (Soziale Stadt) programme that contained integration promoting initiatives on the neighbourhood level and the Immigrants in the City (Zuwanderer in der Stadt) research project that developed recommendations aimed at the socio-spatial integration of these groups.

The purpose of the article is to raise awareness of the importance of the socio-spatial integration, to give an overview of fields of intervention and to identify good practice examples on the basis of Difu’s research in this field.

Methodology

The article draws on results of Difu’s research regarding the Socially Integrative City programme and Immigrants in the City project and thus combines various research methods (literature review, case studies, surveys, best practice analysis).

Conclusions

Due to the dwindling absorbent capability of the job market and the widespread exclusion of many immigrants from the educational system, urban environments are gaining more and more significance in fostering integration processes. Essential to socio-spatial integration is providing immigrants an equal stake in economic, social, political and cultural life organized in the districts on a grass roots level. The required measures need to cover a range of activities and must relate to the circumstances of each sector of the population. Segregation is not necessarily a contradiction to integration. Ethnic segregated areas open up opportunities to improve ethnic economy, ethnic networks etc.

Contact info

Deutsches Institut für Urbanistik (Difu)
Dr. Bettina Reimann

Deutsches Institut für Urbanistik (Difu)
Ulla-Kristina Schuleri-Hartje

Publication date

1/9/2004

Researcher

Dr. Bettina Reimann, Ulla-Kristina Schuleri-Hartje

Document type

research