S1413 Globalization, Ethics, Welfare and Human Rights
Marconi Giovanna
The proposed course intends to explore the multifaceted challenges international migration poses at the urban level, particularly in terms of governance and sustainability of increasingly diverse urban societies.
With a global migrant population of approximately 214 million people (UN DESA, 2008), international migration represents one of the most tangible examples of what is referred to as 'glocalization', namely, the consequences of globalization in local contexts. In an increasingly urbanized world, migrants head primarily to cities, either of the global North and South, rising new „demands for the city‟ and fuelling urban social and spatial complexity. The presence of people born elsewhere, or who remain somehow tied to places of origin different from where they live, reinforces the role of the contemporary city as a place of encounter, exchange, and confrontation. Though neither simple to grasp nor easy to manage, the growing ethnic mix and socio-cultural differences in today‟s cities is a condition destined to rapidly evolve in the next few decades, due to the expanding number of migrants who will look for a way out of the widening economic, social, and political disparities among countries worldwide .
Globalization has also brought about a process of decentralization worldwide that has entrusted local authorities with the responsibility to implement urban policies, including those concerning international migration. In most cases this has resulted in approaches to migration that depend on the local social, economic and political environment more than the priorities established by central governments. However, in nowadays increasingly diversified, multicultural and multivalue cities, policies are often too wide in scope so that practices becomes the most effective response.
Although migration policymaking at the national and international level give little attention to the local impacts of this phenomenon, there is evidence that international migration is to be considered primarily an urban issue and one that falls squarely within the realm of urban governance and planning. The relationship between urban policy and the politics of migration takes on a critical dimension for the future of the city.
With an emphasis on housing, public spaces and services, the following questions will be central to the proposed course: What impacts do migrants have on the built environment, socio-cultural fabric and economic development of their host cities? What relationships to their host city do migrants develop? How do they identify with the host city and society? What are the local effects of the transnational networks they maintain with their place of origin or their relatives/friends migrated elsewhere (Diaspora)? What factors prevent migrants from accessing housing and services or participating fully in the life of the city? Which policies and practices are put in place by local stakeholders to cope with growing immigration? What are the issues/challenges that a "rescaling" from national to local scale might face? What services and spaces are/should be designed to promote migrants‟ inclusion as well as intercultural relations among different groups of urban residents?
Learning outcomes of the course
Through an overview of relevant international literature and selected case studies examined through a comparative lens, as well as through interactive practical exercises specifically built for exploiting the international and multicultural classroom, the course will provide students with elements to better mainstream urban diversity and reflect upon the potential for urban stakeholders (i.e. planners, practitioners, policy makers, civil society at large) to create and maintain inclusive and sustainable physical environments.
Students resulting particularly interested in further exploring the urban impacts of international migration in their cities, might be offered the opportunity to be tutored in their future research work (i.e. for a master or PhD thesis) by the research team of the SSIIM Unesco Chair on the Social and Spatial Inclusion of International Migrants – Urban Policies and practices" running since 2008 at Università Iuav di Venezia (http://www.unescochair-iuav.it/?lang=en).
Teaching and evaluation methods
The course will be structured around the following 3 themes, each one of which will be divided into sub-topics: MIGRATION AS A GLOBAL URBAN PHENOMENON URBAN FABRIC AND DIVERSITY LOCAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES ADDRESSING INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION
Specific readings will be provided for each sub-topic.
Each session will consist of a presentation to introduce the sub-topic followed by a group discussion of the presentation and the reading(s).
During the semester, guest speakers will be invited to share their research and fieldwork with the class.
Starting from the second half of the semester, part of each session will be dedicated to the research work that students are expected to carry out. They will be trained to produce a research project and implement it. Students will be required to give a short presentation of their draft research for feedback and discussion and a final presentation at the end of the semester.
Research work
Students will work in teams of 2-3 (depending on the total number of students attending the course) and choose a specific case study from a list of suggestions to investigate the impact of migration on urban areas and the policies and practices (or lack of) implemented to cope with it.
Using existing literature, data, press reviews, maps and images, to document and present their case studies, students will work to highlight the particular contingencies, policies and/or practices that perpetuate exclusionist drives or promote inclusion and equal right to the city. Students will be also encouraged to develop their own policy proposals to promote more inclusive environments.
Milestones of student‟s work will consist of:
a) Research Project: After having selected a case study, students will prepare a research project explaining objectives, activities and expected results of their research.
b) Midterm Presentation: students will present advancements of their case study to the class in the form of a PPT presentation and be prepared to answer questions and receive feedback from their classmates.
c) Final report: Students will prepare and present a report on the case study selected, including also „policy guidelines‟ aimed at promoting more inclusive environments in the context under study.
Evaluation
Readings