Annual RC21 Conference 2011

The struggle to belong. Dealing with diversity in 21st century urban settings
Amsterdam (The Netherlands), July 7-9 2011

Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research – Urban Studies
University of Amsterdam – The Netherlands

15. Urban Disorder and Social Cohesion

This session intends to revisit the classical urban sociological themes of social disorder and social cohesion. These subjects are central to "Chicago School" theory, but this panel proposes to rethink these topics in new, more critical ways. While urban disorder is often taken strictly to mean "crime" or illegal activity, it encompasses much more, from visual disorder (graffiti, broken windows, and so on) to collective behavior (riots, rodeos, gang activities, protests). New methods of studying urban disorder are emerging (e.g., systematic social observation). Many consider the presence of social disorder, especially on city streets, as an indicator of, or threat to social cohesion.
We are looking for papers that re-examine this assumption. New conceptions of social cohesion in the city -- subjective identifications, shared values and practices, collective action as well as participatory, "social capital" or "moral density" indicators -- are welcome.

Organizers:
Hilary Silver, Sociology and Urban Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI USA. Email: Hilary_Silver@brown.edu
Jaap S. Timmer, Chairholder Safety and Social Cohesion, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences; Associate Professor of Police Studies, VU University Amsterdam. Email: j.s.timmer@vu.nl

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