Abstract
Why are superdiverse cities such as Brussels a patchwork rather than a melting pot? This research investigates how people within the superdiverse, yet segregated Brussels sort themselves based on culture and aesthetics. Taking the diverse neighborhoods of Molenbeek and Matonge as case-studies, we combine insights from urban sociology – the scenes approach of Silver and Clarke – and cultural sociology with Lamont’s concept of cultural repertoires. To do so, we use walkabouts, which allows us to capture the lived experience and meaning making process of urban residents, while, at the same time, both the researcher and respondent can experience the neighborhoods in a sensory way. A geographical overview illustrates that certain amenities are clustered while the interviews show that different groups use different cultural repertoires, and thus attain different meanings to geographical characteristics. In line with previous research, we find a scene of Brussels-Flemish urban diversity-lovers in both neighborhoods. Besides, we can also speak of ethnic minority scenes in Molenbeek and Matonge, respectively a North-African or little-Morocco scene and African-Matonge scene. Hence, cultural and aesthetic elements also influence the presence of ethnic minority groups.
How to Cite
Weytjens, H. & Kuipers, G., (2022) “De aantrekkingskracht van diverse buurten: sociale sortering en culturele repertoires in de scene(s) van de Brusselse wijken Matonge en Molenbeek”, Tijdschrift Sociologie 3, 329–367. doi: https://doi.org/10.38139/TS.2022.28
