Culture, Space, and Place: An Inquiry into the Urban Landscape of Multicultural Cities

Abstract

The social landscape of most of the European cities is rapidly changing from single to multiple cultural communities under the influence of globalisation and human movement. Such a rapid change has moved the concept of singularity from the many discourses on the socio-cultural, economic and physical aspect of the city to a more complex cross-cultural dialogue. On the socio-cultural dimension, the subject of social cohesion and social inclusion has become an important issue concerning many cities. In the main, these issues have been analysed through social, economic and political science perspectives. The influence of the built environment as an important factor in determining cultural and ethical identity has been inadequately addressed. The paper reviews selected theoretical concepts to verify the exact meaning of culture, cultural identity, social space and social spatiality in the context of different ethnic societies. These issues are then examined in the context of Muslim ethnic neighbourhoods in Birmingham to find out how these cultural factors can contribute to the integration or segregation of its society? The paper concludes how the understanding of cultural norms can contribute to the development of an alternative approach for planning and regeneration practice.

Culturally Diverse Street-Level Urban Activities through the Lens of Digital Footprints

“…This attachment, therefore, indicates people's association with the space "either as a memory of direct experience of being there or indirect experience through words, stories, and images" [9]. The character and uniqueness of urban spaces are defined by the combination of social, spatial, and cultural features [10]. At the same time, this character often represents the cultural identity of the different groups that frequent the space [11,12].…”

“…At the same time, this character often represents the cultural identity of the different groups that frequent the space [11,12]. In other words, each space embodies a set of meanings and symbols expressing its uniqueness in relation to the cultural identity of a group, which is a reference point to which they may belong [10,13]. In the city experience, streets are the basic unit of space [3] and the "vital container of the public life" [14].…”

Comparing Signage in Geographic Space: Raising Students Readiness for the Disruptive Age

“…Culture is defined from diverse perspectives, but all share the social character and social production of the people as basic elements, which include the intellectual and artistic aspects of a society [3]. In its broadest sense it is a set of qualitites which define the social and productive dimension of a society, such as the shared values, belief, habits and behaviour characterising the life of people [4].…”

Transformation of Urban Identity: The Case of Amman since the Post-World War II

“…This view implies that representation of identity at the time includes certain historical pledge. In this sense, Cultural identity refers to the shared socio-cultural practices of a group of people with reference to their cultural tradition and place identity is formed by a combination of spatial, social, cultural and historical characteristics of its inhabitants that distinguishes them from the others (Aboutorabi, 2018). Identity, therefore, indicates the differences which in reference to the city it refers to the distinct images that serve to distinguish it from others enhancing the sense of belonging for its citizen.…”

“…Historically, each city had its own distinct character representing through its architecture and urban form that Kostof (2009) considers them as the transparent medium of cultural expression. This cultural history of the city which is 'represented through its heritage, its traditional character, and urban qualities [...] signifies the artistic ability of its citizens throughout history' (Aboutorabi, 2018) forming the city identity.…”