Ricerc@Sapienza

This research studies the inter-cultural urban aspect often seen on the level of big cities worldwide. It presents the main characteristics that dominate the phenomenon of diaspora-ruled neighborhoods in international cities.

The issue of globalization and the momentum caused by the flux of people in the recent century due to mega migration waves has shaped the metropolis in a new and intriguing way. Throughout the world's capitals, many sub-communities have been appearing due to economic and safety issues. Cities like Beirut, New York, Berlin, London, and Paris have all been an epitome for the study of diaspora movements and their effect on the urban scene.

Across the United States, African ghettos and China towns are infamous for their heterogeneity with the urban fabric. In Beirut, Palestinian camps remain unvisited by the locals and Armenian neighborhoods represent an interesting chance to study the imitation of Armenia on a smaller scale.

Likewise, sub-communities are also born through power. In Mumbai and Rio, the richest live in fortified enclaves mid-city, forming an urban fracture and an attitude of injustice and contentment to the population.

The general scope of this paper is to study some of these cases and attempt to identify a certain parameter of shared characteristics belonging to each group of zones based on culture and history, in order to arrive to an understanding of what triggers these forms. It studies the nature of boundaries, ranging from massive fences to a seamless transition through a street. It also explores the possibility for a hybrid style or identity caused by the interlock of cultures on an architectural level.

The approach combines a set of tools by morphologically reading the gradient or abrupt transition between the local urbanization and that of the sub-community. This should be done by thoroughly examining and collecting the data necessary for such a study. Then, following an objective read into the provided data, the aim will be to try to mend the fracture between the different realms and to collect a group of projects that previously targeted the issue of intercultural urban fractures. Last, a preliminary project will attempt to re-stitch two hostile realms in one of the case studies based on the set of characteristics obtained following the study of a more successful case.

As a general goal, this study aims to spread awareness towards migration movements and their subjects. It also invites the reader to rethink the city in an innovative way as a collective canvas affected by many aspects for its inhabitants rather than a systemized space defining life.