Does diversity in urban space enhance intergroup contact and tolerance?

Abstract

Contemporary urban theory has started to question the elevation of diversity as a panacea for enduring urban problems -segregation, prejudice and intergroup hostility. This critique coincides with an opposite tendency within classic contact theory and research. The latter tradition has developed an increasing enthusiasm for face-to-face interaction. The contact hypothesis, which presupposes established contact, has received conclusive support independent of target groups and contact settings. Research on 'lived diversity', which includes both contact and lack of contact, offers two supplementary insights. It shows, on the one hand, that boundaries are inscribed in social spaces. Physical proximity between ethnic and social groups tends to have a minor effect on interaction. Interaction, on the other hand, is not essential to attitude formation. Both subfields within contact research have confirmed that urban space may act as a catalyst for tolerant attitudes. This observation corresponds with increasing recognition of affective states, such as empathy, anxiety and group threat. Contact research has therefore, in summary, transcended the scope of the contact hypothesis. It has expanded into the realm of urban theory, which foreshadows future collaboration between the two traditions. Some key points for such exchange are suggested at the end of the article. Future research should combine an open-ended approach to casual contact with a diversified conception of diversity and a richer conception of urban space. A move in this direction would leave substantial space for geographical research.

O pensamento de Jane Jacobs na perspectiva da cidade includente

“…Outras buscam verificar a acertiva e implicações das afirmações da autora ou de como traduzi-las em melhor desenho urbano. É o caso das avaliações quantitativas da interferência do Desenho Urbano e tipologia das edificações na vitalidade urbana (SABOYA, NETTO, VARGAS, 2015); ou a verificação se diversidade urbana fornece elementos suficientes para promover tolerância e contato entre diversos grupos (WESSEL, 2009).…”

Children's Centres as spaces of interethnic encounter in North East England

“…720 and 721). Wessel (2009) points out that positive attitudes towards BME neighbours can be the reason why residents chose to live in an ethnically diverse area in the first place, rather than being the result of increased contact.…”

“…Furthermore, given the recentness of migration in both areas, most 'White English' locals could not be said to have chosen to live in ethnically diverse neighbourhoods (cf. Wessel, 2009). The interview data were analysed by identifying ethnic and other factors invoked by interviewees in their accounts of their service use.…”

Neighbourhood ethnic mix and the formation of mixed‐ethnic unions in britain: a longitudinal analysis

“…According to social conflict theory, contact between different ethnic groups may also lead to hostility and discrimination (Wessel 2009;Forrest and Dunn 2011;Matejskova and Leitner 2011). Matejskova and Leitner (2011) in their study on Russian immigrants in eastern Berlin found that contact between local natives and Russian immigrants only re-enforced pre-existing stereotypes, prejudices and conflicts.…”