Managing the Co-existence of Difference: Applications of the Geographies of Encounters Framework

Abstract

21st century cities are home to a plethora of processes, people, culture, and innovation— but they are also the site of contention among various conflicting groups. Subsequently, scholars have continuously attempted to formulate approaches to managing the co-existence of people of difference in multiple publics to address the century old question of how to forge a civic culture out of difference? This major research paper attempts to provide one possible method to answer this question through exploring the notion of encounters—more specifically how to socially engineer meaningful contact among minority and majority groups to reduce prejudice and increase tolerance. Through applying the geographies of encounters framework, this paper builds upon existing literature and studies the concept of difference in various contexts in the UK, South Africa, and Slovenia, before considering possible interventions and applications in the Toronto setting within the Regent Park neighbourhood.