Roots and routes in neighbourhoods. Length of residence, belonging and public familiarity in Berlin, Germany

Talja Blokland, Robert Vief, Daniela Krüger and Henrik Schultze
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Talja Blokland: Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany
Robert Vief: Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany
Daniela Krüger: Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany
Henrik Schultze: Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany

Urban Studies, 2023, vol. 60, issue 10, 1949-1967

Abstract: Urban scholars commonly expect that residents show more neighbourhood belonging, the longer they live in an area. An imagery of fixed settlements thus remains dominant in a rapidly changing world. Recent research challenged classic assumptions but the alternative of elective belonging hardly differentiated between symbolic and practical neighbourhood use. As belonging is performatively maintained, this differentiation may be needed. What defines residents’ belonging in a neighbourhood in digital mobile times? Does length of residence alone result in place-based practices, familiarity with other people and ultimately in more belonging? Our analyses of survey-data from four Berlin neighbourhoods show that length of residence correlates with belonging, but not in a simple linear way. The use of infrastructure and especially public familiarity, which depends on the settlement as specific historical configuration, affect this relationship.

Keywords: belonging; neighbourhood; public familiarity; 归属感; 邻里; 公众熟悉度 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:60:y:2023:i:10:p:1949-1967

DOI: 10.1177/00420980221136960

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