Immigrants, Place, and Cross-Cultural Understanding

Global-Local Perpectives and Processes

Immigration has historically been a major force that shapes the demographics of cities and their cultural milieu. Unlike the ethnic enclaves of the past, however, today’s immigrant populations are widely dispersed throughout suburbs, inner cities, and small towns. They adapt the existing urban and suburban landscapes to support new social and cultural activities that give new identities and vitality to those places, which in turn modify the lifestyles of these groups.

In Seattle, for instance, the Vietnamese community transformed a former industrial and warehouse area into a vibrant commercial center. In Los Angeles, Latina/o immigrants turn front yards and streets into social gathering places. In Richmond, Canada, Asian night market becomes a major cultural event that draws visitors across the region and the U.S./Canadian border. In Taipei, places such as the Burmese Street serves not only the Burmese immigrants and refugees but also the surrounding neighborhoods and the city at large.

Despite the presence of immigrant communities in cities around the world, relatively little is understood about how urban spaces and activities may provide a vehicle for crosscultural understanding among different urban populations. The lack of mutual understanding has aggravated and sometimes resulted in conflicts and tensions in cities around the world. It also results in the needs and interests of immigrant communities being frequently overlooked by institutions responsible for issues ranging from urban planning to public health.

Aims and objectives

This project brings together a multidisciplinary group of researchers from North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia to share and compare their innovative research on immigration, place-making, and cross-cultural understanding. Through an international symposium and subsequent publications, the group will examine the emergent urban activities and spaces that facilitate greater cross-cultural understanding in diverse contexts. The project will also develop joint agenda for further collaborative research and policy recommendations for cities and communities.