Experiencing diversity in London:

Kesten, Jamie; Souza, Tatiana Moreira de

doi:10.2307/j.ctv92vpp2.8

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“…The impacts of these changes are significant for a range of social and economic groups in the city, from a variety of social and cultural backgrounds. Rising land and property prices, and the exclusive nature of new developments, are limiting the opportunities for smaller businesses and entrepreneurs to set themselves up in London and this is leading to a shrinkage in the diversity of London’s business and employment base (see Ferm and Jones, 2015; Kesten et al, 2016). New developments are also leading to a gradual reduction in the availability of spaces for diverse encounters as public spaces are increasingly subject to private control (see Minton, 2012; Turner, 2015).…”

Section: Narratives Of Diversity and The Governance Of Londonmentioning

confidence: 99%

The politicisation of diversity planning in a global city: Lessons from London

Raco

Kesten

2016

Urban Studies

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This paper explores the politics of diversity planning in one of Europe's most socially and economically divided and globally-oriented cities, London. The analysis draws on Latour's writings on modes of politicisation to examine the processes and practices that shape contemporary urban governance. It uses the example of diversity planning to examine the 'what' and 'how' of urban politics. It shows that on the one hand diversity is represented in pragmatic, consensual, and celebratory terms. Under prevailing conditions of contemporary global capitalism, the 'what' of diversity has been politicised into an agenda for labour market-building and the attraction of 'talented' individuals and foreign investment. However, at the same time this celebratory rhetoric represents part of a wider effort to deflect political attention away from the socially and economically divisive impacts of global models of economic growth and physical development. There is little discussion of the ways in which planning frameworks, the 'how' of diversity policy, are helping to generate new separations in and beyond the city. Moreover, despite claiming that policy is pragmatic and non-ideological, the paper shows how diversity narratives have become an integral part of broader political projects to orientate the city's economy towards the needs of a relatively small cluster of powerful economic sectors. The paper concludes with reflections on the recent impacts of the vote for Brexit and the election of an openly Muslim London Mayor. It also assesses the broader relevance of a Latourian framework for the analysis of contemporary urban politics.

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Section: Narratives Of Diversity and The Governance Of Londonmentioning

confidence: 99%