Refugee integration and self-organisation

Abstract

The aim of this master thesis is to interrelate integration policies with self-organisation and to find ways for spatial planners to enlarge the role of self-organisation. The role of self-organisation for refugee integration is promising because it has a deep understanding of the spatial context and responds to the local needs. Research about integration policies on the one hand and self-organisation and spatial planning on the other hand puts forward the relevance of spatial planning to complement integration policies with self-organisation, because spatial planning is a way of planning that strives for policy integration and incorporation of the spatial context. Spatial planning has a competence to provide supportive organisational and spatial conditions, although literature research about those conditions for the role of self-organisation in integration policies in particular is hardly present yet. This research investigates organisational and spatial conditions in the context of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

First, this thesis gives a theoretical understanding of refugee integration, integration policies and spatial planning and self-organisation. Then, it explores the complementarities between integration policies and self-organisation by a case-study analysis for Rotterdam. The case-study analysis consists of an analysis of integration policies, of a thematic analysis that analyses common patterns and characteristics of eleven existing self-organised initiatives in Randstad municipalities and of an in-depth case analysis that goes more deeply into the development processes of three initiatives in Rotterdam. Finally, the thesis proposes general principles to enhance the interrelations between integration policies and self-organisation, which are illustrated by a spatial planning strategy for Rotterdam.

The results show that integration of refugees takes place in multiple domains simultaneously that require tailor-made support and distinct approaches per domain. The design principles propose that planners define either a policy or a self-organisation approach per domain of integration, in which planners play a collaborating role in the first and a facilitating role in the latter. Accordingly, the principles propose that municipalities coordinate the provision of tailor-made organisational support to self-organisation actors on multiple levels and in multiple domains. Furthermore, the principles propose to provide a network of buildings for self-organisation, consisting of three keystone buildings where initiatives cluster and typical buildings for self-organisation in all neighbourhoods. By deciding on strategic locations where integration is challenging or where relevant actors are located, planners can encourage the emergence and development of self-organisation at desired locations.