Social cohesion in dispute: Between socio-spatial inequality and community dynamics – a qualitative case study in Southern Europe

Abstract

The arrival of international immigrants in several European cities has led to the formation of multicultural neighbourhoods, creating new community dynamics that influence forms of sociability. Existing literature postulates that neighbourhoods characterised by a high percentage of immigration show high levels of neighbourhood distrust, lower levels of community participation and an unbalanced development of territorial ties. This phenomenon is exemplified by coexistence, which has a detrimental effect on social cohesion. This article examines the impact of socio-spatial inequality and community dynamics on social cohesion in an ethnoculturally diverse neighbourhood. It focuses on the consequences of the arrival of Moroccan immigrants in La Chanca-Pescadería, a working-class neighbourhood in the city of Almería (south-eastern Spain), where Roma and non-Roma populations have traditionally cohabited and maintained a strong sense of belonging to the neighbourhood. The study is qualitative, and its findings are based on a dataset consisting of semi-structured in-depth interviews, group interview and focus groups. The findings suggest that the arrival of Moroccan immigrants has led to a change in neighbourhood relations, which are now characterised by passive tolerance. Although social cohesion has weakened to some extent, it has not been completely lost, and that the current state of affairs is more akin to neighbourhood coexistence, as was suggested by earlier research. Factors such as respect, solidarity and empathy, which were hallmarks of neighbourliness, have helped to prevent open conflict in heterogeneous communities. Finally, the need for institutional intervention to improve interactions in multicultural and multi-ethnic communities is highlighted.