Governing Diverse Cities in Europe and Asia
February 26, 2024
As Asian and European nations prepare to commemorate ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Day on March 1st to celebrate the partnership and dialogue between the continents, it is pertinent to reflect on the urban dynamics of Asia and Europe.
Cities in Asia and Europe are undergoing significant shifts in migration patterns, marked by transnational ties and socio-economic variations. Coupled with rising nationalist rhetoric and the intensified stigmatization of migrants and minorities worldwide, these changes challenge conventional strategies for urban diversity management.
In response, Associate Professor Ho Kong Chong (NUS Sociology & Anthropology and Yale-NUS College) is collaborating with Associate Professor Camille Schmoll (University Paris Diderot, Geography), Associate Professor Marie Gilbert-Flutre (Université de Paris, Geography), and Senior Lecturer Delphine Pages El Karoui (National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations, Geography) on a pivotal project titled ‘Governing Diverse Cities in Europe and Asia’, hosted by the NUS Asia Research Institute and supported by the Université de Paris & National University of Singapore Joint Research Grant from 2021 to 2023..
Since cities have transformed from mere cultural melting pots to influential political platforms, enabling the creation of transnational networks that promote knowledge exchange and advocacy, this project will spotlight cities as crucial sites for examining evolving mobility and diversity governance models.
Bringing together scholars from Europe and Asia, the project facilitates collective reflection on urban diversity governance challenges. It aims to provide insights beneficial to civil society and policymakers. Through workshops in Paris and Singapore, experts from various disciplines will discuss Europe and Asia’s urban challenges, seeking solutions and governance patterns. Members of civil society and policymakers will also share their experiences.
Aligned with the UParis-NUS Memorandum of Understanding, graduate students will enhance their understanding of Europe and Asia through a comparative field trip, mentored by a local scholar, which will lead to an article publication. Ultimately, this initiative marks a step towards comprehending and managing urban diversity in Europe and Asia, promoting a harmonious global urban future.
