Exploring the nexus between intercultural participation and segregation through an urban intercultural governance lens

Abstract

This article analyses how intercultural participation and segregation are interconnected within urban intercultural governance through a review of the literature. It examines how cultural initiatives, particularly, cultural festivals, can be tools to transform urban spaces into ‘intercultural spaces’ or ‘contact zones’ that could foster intercultural participation among segregated migrants. By crossing debates on urban intercultural governance as a conceptual lens, intercultural participation, and segregation, this study identifies the different modalities of intercultural participation, roles and approaches of participants within the context of cultural festivals. Then, it stresses the critical role of local actors within urban intercultural governance in mitigating segregation and enhancing intercultural participation through cultural initiatives. The review challenges the assumed correlation that segregation and intercultural participation are inherently at odds. Indeed, their relationship is rather paradoxical. Intercultural policy might counteract segregation and foster intercultural participation while being inhibited by segregation itself. The article calls for further research to refine the relationship between the two analytical categories suggesting embarking on cross-city comparison in the context of diverse cultural festivals to identify effective local practices. Finally, the focus is on migrants defined as segregated and categorised through dimensions such as age, gender, generation, ethnicity, and occupational attainment, which could inform policy-makers and highlight successful local practices.