Intercultural City

This project draws on research and advocacy to explore and endorse the concept of interculturalism. This approach moves beyond equal opportunities and respect for existing cultural differences ("multiculturalism"), to the use of dialogue and exchange between people of different cultural backgrounds to facilitate the transformation of public space, civic culture, and institutions. On this model, different cultures engage proactively, with the conflict that may emerge seen as creative and growth-promoting. Advocates of this approach argue that cities that seek to build on the potential of ethnic and cultural diversity need to develop policies which prioritise funding for projects where different cultures intersect, or "hybridise"; these projects are envisioned as the source of cultural, social, political and economic innovation. Intercultural City is based on an assumption that cities can become more intercultural by engaging people of diverse backgrounds within a process of exploring their communities' history, cultural institutions and cultural values, through forms of artistic expression, skills, crafts, media of communication, oral history, and memory.

To learn more about the potential of this strategy, researchers explored 6 aspects of local activity in various cities through an intercultural lens. These areas of focus include: public consultation and engagement; urban planning and development; business and entrepreneurship; schools and education; the arts and creative industries; and sport. The methodology involved analysis of secondary data on demographics, economics, labour market, migration, and innovation at national and regional levels. Semi-structured interviews with key individuals informed case studies of key intercultural actors employing a life history approach. (For example, based on the assumption that a catalytic individual or group will often form the core of an intercultural initiative, researchers interviewed 33 such people in 6 English cities to identify common characteristics.) In addition, intercultural networks were mapped, and then focus group discussions (FGDs) carried out with network members.

Researchers then created, and are sharing on the project's website, a series of reports and publications to communicate findings such as these: schools are fundamental to building an interculturally competent society, with creative pursuits such as drama, media, and conflict resolution as key approaches to building cultural literacy; shared spaces in the arts can be created which are new to all cultures; and team sports provide great potential for increased interaction between communities. Click here to access specific case studies. In addition, a final report was prepared that features locally-specific recommendations on each city within the project, and which also aggregates the findings of all the city and thematic studies with practical recommendations for policy-makers. A knowledge network enabling practitioners in all the participating cities to exchange experiences is being created. This network builds on a closing international conference that was held in March 2006 to launch the project findings and to trigger further research on the subject.

Intercultural Communication.

Organisers stress that "we need to look afresh through an intercultural lens at the way our towns and cities are run, because a greater emphasis on interaction, bridging and the exchange of ideas can release a diversity dividend of social and economic benefits for our communities. The catalyst can often be remarkable individuals or groupings who transgress cultural and social boundaries, but local authorities often know little or nothing about these intercultural innovators. Cities can get a grips with this new way of working by the introduction of a toolkit of quantitative, qualitative and documentary methods: the indicators of interculturalism and openness."