Dignified spaces in a plural Europe, the European University of Cities in Post-Industrial Transition (UNIC), Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
UNIC is offering a multi-campus seminar, Dignified spaces in a plural Europe: On the (in)visibility of cultural and religious communities in post-industrial cities.
“Cultural and religious communities, and particularly minorities, can only live with dignity if they have a “space.” To literally make space for people is a prerequisite for living together in our diverse urban centers. If dignity includes the possibility of self-determined action, these spaces must be designable and usable in a self-determined way.
This class focuses on politically, socially, and spatially marginalized communities in the urban centers of the UNIC universities and their access to dignified spaces. Of particular interest are cultural and religious communities that come to Europe through migration and international link- ages and that need specific places and spaces that serve as meeting places to preserve cultural and religious identity. While the traditional church buildings in the inner cities are often used less and less for religious purposes, migrant communities only find space in the periphery of the cities – in former factory halls or as ‘subtenants’ in other church buildings.”
“The UNIC University originated as an alliance between ten universities, but endeavors to be a leading international institution that celebrates its European origins, while remaining an open an inclusive environment for all types of learners.” It is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the EU. (About UNIC)
For further information about the course, see:
Çelik Rappas, I. A., Bauer, K., Kapalo, J. A., & Radermacher, M.. (2022). Dignified spaces in European cities: A co-teaching experiment. Mediapolis: A Journal of Cities and Culture, 7(3).
Center for Intercultural Dialogue 