Convivialidad e identidad de barrio: un estudio de caso en un barrio superdiverso de Barcelona

Abstract

Conviviality in superdiverse neighbourhoods has been studied in Anglo-Saxon and Hispanic contexts; however, few researchers have analysed the relationship between this and neighbourhood identity. The latter is an element of cohesion that can facilitate conviviality. Therefore, this article focuses on investigatingthe connection between conviviality and neighbourhood identity, in a superdiverse borough in Barcelona. A qualitative methodology was used with a case study design, in which neighbours were interviewed through semi-structured interviews, focus groups and a systematic evaluative discussion meeting with the community. A total of 79 people participated in all stages of the research. In this specificneighbourhood, the results showed that the relationship between conviviality and neighbourhood identity is based on the length of stay of the neighbours and the interaction in neighbourhood shops asinformal community spaces. But these aspects are also influenced by gender, age, and other elements of diversity. A significant obstacle was the “underground” racism of some native neighbours, which affects conviviality and makes it difficult for migrant neighbours to identify with the borough. These results arediscussed based on theoretical aspects and possible practical implications.