Multidimensional Diversity in Two European Cities: Thinking beyond Ethnicity

Abstract

This paper shifts discussion on social diversity from ethnic diversity to broader social diversity. We explore spatial social diversity and assess opportunities to encounter diversity in an urban context. In doing so, we prepared a description of diversity in the residential communities of two cities, Leeds and Warsaw, using census data for small areas (UK 2001, Poland 2002). Selected variables were used to represent the key social dimensions of diff erence: demographic, socioeconomic, ethnic, and disability. A cluster analysis using a k-means algorithm was implemented for each city separately and for the two cities combined using harmonized indicators. We selected eight cluster solutions for each city which had diff erent profi les and spatial distributions. A combined cluster analysis showed that there was little overlap in community types across the two cities. The paper illustrates that Leeds and Warsaw residents experience very diff erent opportunities to encounter diff erence which need to be taken into account when local diversity policies are implemented.

Beyond openness and prejudice: The consequences of migrant encounters with difference

“…I chose Leeds as a research site because it offers a range of possibilities of encounters with difference alongside the axes of ethnicity, religion, class, social status, sexuality and gender (Piekut et al, 2012). Indeed, the city has a proportion of minority ethnic population close to the national average (15% against 14% in England according to the 2011 Census).…”

“…It builds upon multiple narrative interviews with a group of Polish post-2004 migrants to the diverse UK city of Leeds (Piekut et al, 2012). I begin the article by briefly reflecting on the debate around the 'capacity to live with difference' that has recently (re-)emerged within the geographies of encounter literature.…”

Mapping the meaning of ‘difference’ in Europe: A social topography of prejudice

“…Katz argues (2001a) that this methodology thus enables researchers to scrutinise critically the effects produced in multiple locations by the processes associated with globalisation without erasing the uniqueness of local situations. The research on which this paper is based involved in-depth qualitative case study research with 60 participants (30 in each city) who were recruited from a survey of social attitudes conducted in both cities (n=3021) that asked about the respondents' encounters with people who are different from themselves in terms of ethnicity, religion, sexuality and disability in many kinds of sites (results of the quantitative element of this project are published in Piekut et al, 2012). Each qualitative case comprised: 1) a time-line; 2) life-story interview; 3) audiodiary of everyday encounters; (4) semi-structured interview about attitudes towards difference; and 5) an interview reflecting on the emerging findings.…”

Diversity and social cohesion: the case of Jane-Finch, a highly diverse lower-income Toronto neighbourhood

“…Ethnicity is often regarded as the dominant category of diversity, such that many studies have used the concepts of 'diversity' and 'ethnic diversity' interchangeably (Lancee and Dronkers 2011;Talen 2010;Piekut et al 2012). However, diversity can go beyond the conventional demographic categories and include various collective and individual markers, on the basis of which identity is constructed, from socio-economic class to lifestyles and hobbies.…”