Performing Space. A Transdisciplinary Exploration of European Public Spaces for Integration

This transdisciplinary (Philosophy, Linguistics, Media Studies, Cultural and Religious Studies, Legal Studies, Social Sciences, Gender Studies and Urban Planning, Cultural Heritage Management) project investigates the dynamics and conditions of building public space, challenging both concepts of public and of space in their relevance for integration, and identifying how culture can facilitate the conditions for public space to arise. It challenges the concepts of integration endeavouring to define it neither as a means of reduction nor as a mere adaption. It does not only focus on economic and social inclusion, because integration addresses issues of identity, recognition and participation from a rights-based perspective. The project approaches public space conceiving it as an open and dynamic dimension - as always "to-come” - and focuses on its physical, social and symbolic interacting layers. It investigates the processes of inclusion/exclusion of people and explores the formation of public space(s) mapping cultural practices, institutional and non-institutional activities. It identifies the relevant spatial configurations that allow for conflicting views and differences to be compared creating the conditions for change. As a case study to discuss these hypotheses, the research considers a particular public space, the museum, which is a widespread European cultural institution and relevant for constructing collective memory and imaginaries. The project develops a policy for evaluating public spaces considering their dynamics, openness, inclusion/exclusion and integration agency. The research team, which encompasses senior and junior academic researchers, will collaborate with associations, public administrators and relevant stakeholders working in the creative industry.