European cities are struggling with the increasing diversity of their populations, places which historically grew out of national and ethno-cultural identities.
Divercities is a European Union funded project what is looking at how governance and civic structures can create “social cohesion, social mobility and economic performance in today’s hyper-diversified cities.” They hosted a conference in September at the University of Antwerp with practitioners, policy-makers and academics.
Over the few days of discussion and debate, they asked some of us about what diversity looks like in our cities. Here below is what I said about Toronto, a place that people held as an ideal when we compared notes. I should have added “There is still work to be done!”
In February there will a larger concluding conference to present the wider findings.
Belonging Community 