Abstract

This article takes a nuanced look at the role played by neighbourhood characteristics and local policies in facilitating or limiting the ways in which diversity‐oriented middle‐class families interact and deal with people of lower social classes in mixed‐class inner‐city neighbourhoods. The study draws on interviews and social network analysis conducted in neighbourhoods with different socio‐economic characteristics in the German cities of Hanover and Dusseldorf. A comparative view allows us to analyse how neighbourhood characteristics and local policies influence middle‐classes’ interactions across social boundaries. Our aim is to contribute to ongoing debates on urban policy options: In discussing the conditions encouraging cross‐boundary interactions of specific middle‐class fractions, we argue that the scope of local‐level action is not fully recognized in either policy or academic debates.

Highlights

  • Much has been written in previous years about middle‐ classaffiliation practices in mixed‐class environ‐ ments (Bridge et al, 2012; Vincent et al, 2004)

  • At a time when the main discourse is on univer‐ sal, structural forces of gentrification (Lees et al, 2016), there seems to be little room for manoeuvre to pro‐ mote mixed‐class neighbourhoods

  • Our analy‐ sis aims to examine the sphere of influence local politics, including housing, school, and urban development still have on neighbourhood diversity and individual neigh‐ bourhood practices and routines

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Summary

Introduction

Much has been written in previous years about middle‐ class (dis)affiliation practices in mixed‐class environ‐ ments (Bridge et al, 2012; Vincent et al, 2004). While there is overwhelming evidence of such boundary‐ drawing and disaffiliation practices—spatially, socially, and symbolically—our study explicitly aims to identify specific local factors, such as neighbourhood character‐ istics and/or local policies, able to influence middle‐class interactions across social boundaries. We argue in favour of a more detailed analysis of the drivers and dilemmas of those middle‐class fractions who act against the grain (Reay et al, 2007) and reveal diverse social networks and inclusionary daily practices—at least to some degree. Our analy‐ sis aims to examine the sphere of influence local politics, including housing, school, and urban development still have on neighbourhood diversity and individual neigh‐ bourhood practices and routines. How are these prac‐ tices influenced and shaped by place (here understood as settings for social interrelations) and local politics? Our research is guided by the following questions: How do respondents’ valua‐ tion of diversity translates into living with diversity and into boundary‐crossing practices? How are these prac‐ tices influenced and shaped by place (here understood as settings for social interrelations) and local politics?

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