M.Sc. Urban Design, 2024
Bengisu Aydos

Mutual Integration and Adaptation: Exploring potentials of coexistence between locals and refugees in Germany. 
A case study in Marzahn, Berlin

Globalization has become ubiquitous in today’s world with its advantages and disadvantages in all spheres of society. One of the major challenges is the increasing migration around the world, which is transforming formerly homogeneous societies into multicultural ones. It serves as a trigger for new debates about national and cultural identity and values, leading to the manifestation of prejudices and social polarization. Both immigrants – especially refugees – and the local population face difficulties in adapting and integrating into their changing environments. In Germany, the discrepancies became more visible in recent years related to an immigration influx and the rise of right-wing populist parties, which led to an increase in xenophobic attitudes.

This study examines the challenges of integration and adaptation in the context of a multicultural society, focusing on the Marzahn district of Berlin, where the local society shows a high degree of skepticism towards refugees, resulting in the feeling of fear between both groups. The approach of mutual integration and adaptation is the result of a redefinition of conventional integration strategies and theories, leading to a shift from a one-way to a two-way process, involving refugees and locals.

Through collaborative design methods and cooperation with the BENN initiative, the research aimed to understand the different perspectives and needs of the neighborhood to develop a space of encounter and mutual benefit. It proposes steps for achieving integration through temporary spaces of coexistence by applying a bottom-up approach, emphasizing the participation and contribution of both target groups. It reveals the potential of socio-spatial interventions in fostering mutual integration and adaptation, aiming to reduce feelings of fear and prejudices in global societies.

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