Sub-project III: Urban Geographic, Sociodemographic and Migration Sociological Dimensions of Decentralized Living and Housing

In sub-project III we are interested in the urban geographic, sociodemographic and migration sociological dimensions of the decentralised housing of refugees. We have established three key objectives in our work. Firstly, we investigate what integration and support measures municipalities offer to accompany refugees when they arrive and settle in. Secondly, we conduct semi-standardised interviews with key actors in the municipal support and administrative structures in the field of migration and flight. Here we examine the importance of municipal structures in the implementation of decentralised forms of housing and the significance of the topics of “escape”, “asylum” and “social participation“ on the local political agenda. Thirdly, we focus on housing and living situations of refugees. Based on the question “How do we want to live together in the future?” refugees and non-refugees develop utopias as well as concrete recommendations for living together in the urban society within the framework of a regular, open and experimental workshop. Taking up on the results, the dissertation plans, which were developed in the sub-project, examine various dimensions of home for refugees, based on biographical and narrative in-depth interviews.

Central Findings on the Living and Housing Situation of Refugees in the Urban Area

Methodological procedure

Qualitative episodic interviews with key actors in refugee management and support. Conversations and narrative interviews with refugees and asylum seekers. Conversations, protocols of observations from the experimental formats in the sub-project III, especially within the framework of the Urban Utopia Lab.

So-called decentralised accommodation (living in the city area, in an own apartment or in an own room in a shared house/apartment) is an important step towards a self-determined and independent life. But this alone is not enough. More essential is a good infrastructure, offering shopping facilities, public transport, parks and urbanity.
In remote urban districts or municipalities, refugees (including those living in decentralised locations) often live isolated and without the opportunity to establish social connections. An early and constant support, based on the individual needs, is of great importance for refugees.
Volunteer mentors provide support in everyday life, help to establish friendly relationships and facilitate meetings on an equal footing, which in the best case get along without a “thinking in responsibilities”
In so-called decentralised housing, refugees are being accommodated in the subsequent accommodation of municipalities and independent towns. These include apartments and shared apartments, which are located within larger accommodations with up to 80 places and more. It must be questioned to what extent this corresponds to the proclaimed aim of providing a humane and integrative living situation.
Given the accommodation of refugees in this part of the town, it is not uncommon that scepticism among the local residents arises. Of importance are mediators and actors of social associations. These conduct information talks in the individual districts, act as mediators between the parties and foster open communication.
Refugees have expressed a great desire to live outside communal accommodations. Due to the tense housing market in many municipalities, but also because of the so-called “unfavourable prospects of remaining”, refugees often stay longer in collective centres than expected. This can lead to psychological suffering, to continued stigmatisation because of the living situation, while it extends the feeling of being isolated and prevents refugees from feeling at home.
It has proven successful to support refugees with trained mentors when looking for an accommodation. The cooperation of initiatives, volunteers, landlords and the respective municipality is a benefit for this.
The role played by initiatives supported by citizens and co-organised with refugees which complement the institutional help and support system is still largely underestimated. Those grant the possibility to enact and train social participation on all sides. In addition, this promotes the recognition of one's own power and autonomy to act. Without daily-life contacts between refugees and non-refugees, an integration into society will not succeed.

Urban Utopia Lab

Cooperation with Each1Teach1 e.V. and other refugees and non-refugees in the urban society of Heidelberg concerning the question “How do we want to live together in the future?”

What we do
In the course of the project, various experimental and iterative methods were tried out and further developed in different social and local settings. Examples include individual and collective mapping of city districts („Emo/Action Mapping“), guided city tours with all senses, or utopian sessions.

Targets

The joint creation of a positive and sustainable vision of living together on an equal footing.
Supporting the social and political participation among refugees
Creating a new attitude in the urban society: to not only view problems from a wider perspective, but also to explore other ways of problem solving

Preliminary results

Development of a “method kit”
- Collecting and mobilising local knowledge > designing joint utopias of living together in the city > developing practical recommendations addressed to policymakers
- Testing innovative methodological approaches in research on flight and migration (e.g. experimental mapping and coding of the city with fugitives and non-fugitives).
Further development and differentiation of the understanding of sustainability in social, cultural and political dimensions, thereby generating system, transformation, and orientation knowledge.

Interactive Travelling Exhibition “HeimatMuseum” (Museum of Local History)

Project

The project emerges from the activities in the Urban Utopia Lab.
The exhibition collects, shows, reflects, and discusses the results of the dissertation that is being developed in the project.
The discourse about the topic of “home” will be shaped and deepened.
Conception not yet completed!

Project partners
Each1Teach1 e.V. as well as various interested citizens.

How Do We Want to Live Together in the Future?

Development and implementation of a four-month event cycle addressing the question “How do we want to live together in the future?”
Initiierung eines stadtweiten Gesprächs zum erweiterten Themenfeld rund um „Integration“

Project partners

City of Sinsheim

Preliminary results

Insights about the cooperation of trans-disciplinary project teams (methods, work structure, perspectives, work routines, etc.)
Networking of different actors within the framework of the events related to the further development of the urban society
Development of specific projects which can be implemented in one’s own daily life, in the city area or foster commitment