Social Spaces of Migration (GeRäuMig)

Conflicts are a central element of democratic societies, as these societies are based on the fundamental idea of constructive negotiation of conflicting interests. The question of how social groups and their members negotiate coexistence is therefore of particular importance. In the context of migration, the negotiation of conflicts is particularly relevant, as immigrants encounter a society whose expectations and interests regarding “migrants” they do not necessarily share. Immigration is a conflictual process.

The GeRäuMig project examines how migration-related conflicts are articulated spatially and how local people deal with them. It examines how the perception, experience and discussion of migration create and change social spaces and influence processes of inclusion and exclusion. In addition, a participatory format with actors from the local urban society is used to develop ways in which social spaces can be designed to achieve a constructive approach to conflict.

Against this background, the aim of the project is to identify how individuals and social groups in Germany perceive and deal with these conflicts. By focusing on conflicts that are directly or indirectly related to migration, the project raises specific research questions:

• How do people deal with locally articulated conflicts and polarisation when these conflicts are specifically related to migration or are related to migration in the media and public sphere?
• What role do spaces play in the negotiation of conflicts and participation in the migration society?
• How must spaces in the migration society be designed to enable inclusion and constructive conflict management?

Partners involved:

• Berlin Institute for Empirical Integration and Migration Research:  BIM
• Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Conflict and Violence:  IKG
• Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies:  IMIS
• Interdisciplinary Centre for Integration and Migration Research:  InZentIM