Hyper-diversity in/and geographies of childhood and youth

Abstract

This paper reviews recent work on childhood, youth and diversity in geography. It argues for a need to move from conceptualisations of super-diversity to notions of hyper-diversity. Such a move recognises how multiple facets of social difference extend beyond commonly used identity categories deployed in intersectional or superdiverse analyses. In particular, the notion of hyper-diversity enables an exploration of how identity categories articulate with materialities, feelings and everyday practices. The paper sets out some starting propositions for theorisations of hyper-diversity, childhood and youth, whilst recognising the need for critical reflection upon the term's usefulness, especially when set alongside other conceptual languages for understanding intersections of age with other forms of difference. Finally, the paper introduces the four articles that comprise this special issue.

Beyond the Cosmopolis: Sustaining Hyper-Diversity in the Suburbs of Peel Region, Ontario

“…This article contributes to the debate over social cohesion and ethnic enclaves by offering an alternative reading of diversity. Specifically, we align with scholars who look beyond ethno-cultural differences prominent in 'super-diversity' analyses, citing them as too simplistic to capture the reality of socio-spatial interactions (Kraftl, Bolt, & Van Kempen, 2018). Rather, we take up the concept of 'hyper-diversity' defined as "an intense diversification of the population in socio-economic, social and ethnic terms, but also with respect to lifestyles, attitudes and activities" (Tasan- Kok et al, 2014, p. 6).…”

“…This emerging concept is increasingly used to understand aspects beyond represented identities such as gender, age and ethnicity, in addition to everyday behaviours, sub/urban lifestyles, and performances in/of place (i.e., non-representational), that influence life in multicultural contexts. For instance, a recent special issue of Social & Cultural Geography used hyper-diversity as concept to "push at the boundaries of definitions of 'super-diversity'" by challenging its common use "in ways that are fairly static, as uncontested (even a-political) matters of fact" (Kraftl et al, 2018). Hyper-diversity then, can be used to understand how hyper-diverse spaces are experienced 'on the ground' (Peterson, 2017), as well as how non-representational aspects of being also contribute to the diversity of spaces (Wilkinson, 2018).…”

New directions in the theorisation of temporary urbanisms: Adaptability, activation and trajectory

“…Moreover, this requires attentiveness to the multiple and diverse rhythms of an urban place, especially in superor hyper-diverse cities: indeed, recent theoretical and empirical work on hyper-diverse cities (e.g. Kraftl et al, 2019) might offer a more detailed toolkit for thinking and investigating the diverse rhythms of city life and hence diverse dynamics of activation.…”

Zusammenhalts-Regionen – zur Theorie der Weltgesellschaft in der Sozialgeographie

“…1). Lokale Phänomene, die mit Begriffen wie "Glokalisierung" (Robertson, 1995), "Hyper-diversity" (Kraftl et al, 2019) und "meaningful contact" (Valentine, 2008;Askins, 2016;Wilson, 2017) beschrieben und auf die Unterschiedlichkeit der jeweils involvierten lokalen Sozialitäten zurückgeführt werden, können aus weltgesellschaftlicher Perspektive als Bestandteil einer einzigen Gegenwartsgesellschaft aufgefasst werden.…”