Welcoming Refugees and the Cultural Wealth of Cities: Intersections of Urban Development and Refugee Humanitarianism

Abstract

In a context of rising nativism, cities across liberal democracies are enacting agendas to ‘welcome’ migrants and refugees. Existing scholarship examines this contentious political geography as reflecting either accommodative or restrictive responses to local immigrant populations. Through this lens, pro‐immigrant policies and dynamics are seen to recognize and support a set of pre‐defined immigrant ‘interests’, with the pertinent question being which local actors initiate processes of incorporation and why. Drawing on urban scholarship, this article offers an alternative framework through an analysis of resettled refugees’ experiences within the ‘welcoming agenda’ of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I show that this agenda is tethered to postindustrial ideologies of urban development, which see building and promoting ‘diversity’ as an economic exigency. As such, locally resettled refugees are incentivized to participate in a ‘symbolic economy’ valuing images of diversity, cosmopolitanism and immigrant contribution. Refugees gain access to resources, recognition and decision makers through participation in this symbolic economy, a process constituting a previously unexamined form of incorporation. I advance the concept of the ‘welcomed refugee’ to organize thinking about this process and call for critical attention to the forms of incorporation fostered in pro‐immigrant, cosmopolitan, substate settings.

The refugees’ right to the centre of the city: City branding versus city commoning in Athens

“…Several cities in the Global North are promoted through city-branding policies as ‘tolerant’, ‘cosmopolitan’ and ‘superdiverse’ (Hassen and Giovanardi, 2018), and define ‘migration and diversity as an asset that strengthens their economy and global positioning’ (Belabas et al, 2020: 2). Other cities cultivate practices of hospitality towards refugees and endorse pro-immigrant policies in ways that allow them to proclaim themselves to be ‘welcoming cities’ (Watson, 2019) or ‘sanctuary cities’ (Darling and Bauder, 2019). Yet, it is important to note that the process of city branding should be equally co-created by different stakeholders, particularly residents, since they can ‘make or break the whole branding effort’ (Braun et al, 2013: 23).…”

Rust and reinvention: Im/migration and urban change in the American Rust Belt

“…But, on the other hand, newcomers may strategically engage and benefit from symbolic urban branding initiatives. Watson (: 8) identifies the “welcomed refugee” as a central actor in the new economies of Rust Belt cities. Pittsburgh's welcoming agenda, he notes, was born out of a desire to combat population decline, and to shed its reputation as “parochial” and “economically depressed.” Through interviews with the city's Bhutanese refugee community, Watson highlights how diversity branding is beneficial for refugees who can use their status as refugees in contexts of low diversity to “gain access to resources, recognition and decision makers.”…”

“…The heightened uncertainty surrounding immigration and nonimmigrant visa policy has made it more difficult for local actors in Ohio to use the immigration system to stimulate population growth and economic development (Pottie‐Sherman, ). While Rust Belt cities are trying to recast themselves as welcoming and inclusive, political narratives at the federal level have also aimed to co‐opt the Rust Belt as a “symbolic anchor” for the Trump agenda (Watson, ).…”

“…It is also important to note that research in this field also provides evidence of how local welcoming movements can falter in the face of external pressures. Caglar are trying to recast themselves as welcoming and inclusive, political narratives at the federal level have also aimed to co-opt the Rust Belt as a "symbolic anchor" for the Trump agenda (Watson, 2019).…”

Globalization and Sustainability of Regions: The Role of Cultural and Creative Industries in Cutural Policies and their Implications for Regional Development – A Case Study of the Czech Republic

“…Through participation in this symbolic economy, refugees gain access to resources, recognition and decision makers. [7] Culture, which according to the European Commission lies at the heart of human development and civilisation [8], can help overcome major societal challenges bring resources for local development. While creating jobs at local level -being performed by SMEs predominantly [9], fostering citizens participation in local communities, motivation and cooperation, while tackling questions of social inclusion and immigration on a local decision-making level, this concept goes far beyond regular economic indicators.…”