Navigating Life in Migration: Socio-Spatial Integration of Newcomers

The existing research on migration and integration has traditionally centered on labor markets, education, and housing, leaving the role of daily life and community networks in fostering migrant integration understudied. This project explores how (semi-) public spaces and ‘third places,’ not limited to but including parks, cultural venues, and community centers, influence migrants' sense of belonging and participation in life in the context of Belgium. This study draws on the disciplines of urban sociology, migration studies and human geography with the aim of establishing socio-spatial experiences as a significant factor in the process of integration and seclusion, particularly for newly arrived migrants.

This project engages with the concept of 'throwntogetherness' by examining the extent to which diverse (semi-) public space and third places serve as meeting points where migrants and long-term residents can interact and form connections, or whether they perpetuate social exclusion. By investigating the intersecting trajectories of migration and the use of public spaces and third places, the project aims to capture the complex dynamics of place-making and socio-spatial cohesion in an era of increasing diversity. Moreover, an investigation of migrants' access to these spaces allows us to consider how their sense of belonging and integration and mental wellbeing are shaped by these spatial experiences.

Ultimately, our approach addresses the notion of 'urban throwntogetherness' and public space from migration perspective, providing an interdisciplinary lens. As part of the larger 'Migrant Voices Project,' this initial qualitative phase of the project employs focus group discussions to explore how community networks and socio-spatial integration—or lack thereof— affects migrants' participation in everyday life, sense of belonging and mental wellbeing. These findings will contribute to broader discussions on segregation in public spaces, offering insights into how third places and (semi-) public environments shape migrant experiences of integration and wellbeing across different contexts.