Part 2

Social cohesion, perceived safety and immigration in a run-down district in Reggio Emilia

Social cohesion, perceived safety and immigration in a run-down district in Reggio Emilia

Dino Giovannini, Barbara Ferrari, Andrea Pintus e Loris Vezzali
RIMI Lab Research Center (Research and Intervention in Interethnic Multicultural Relations and Immigration) - University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy)
dgiovannini@unimore.it

Abstract
The aim of this study is to analyze the representations and perceptions of people living in five streets of districts 6 and 7 of Reggio Emilia (Italy), in terms of perceived safety and specific problems related to the immigration process and to intergroup relations. In this part of the city, called “railway station zone”, about 70% of the residents are foreigners. Reggio Emilia is the Italian city included in the 12 Intercultural Cities Program of the European Commission Project on immigration and best practices.

Particularly, we put our attention on: 1) the attitudes expressed by people living and/or working in the two districts as well as by other involved actors: Italians and immigrants, shopkeepers, public administrators, police force, cultural associations, labour union representatives, civic committees, voluntary associations, religious groups; 2) the specific problems of both Italian and immigrant residents; 3) the existent intercultural and intergroup dynamics; 4) the quality of the relationships between Italians and foreigners.

Key words: immigration, perceived safety, social cohesion, intergroup relations, shared cohabitation rules.
 

Author(s)

Dino Giovannini, Barbara Ferrari, Andrea Pintus e Loris Vezzali

Dino Giovannini, Barbara Ferrari, Andrea Pintus e Loris Vezzali
RIMI Lab Research Center (Research and Intervention in Interethnic Multicultural Relations and Immigration) - University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy)
dgiovannini@unimore.it