Migration and urban space, closing seminar

On 14 May 2026, the closing seminar of the cycle “Migration and Urban Space: Plans, Projects, and Policies”, organised by Paola Briata and Martina Bovo, took place at Politecnico di Milano as part of the #emergingUrbanQuestions initiative promoted by CRAFT at the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU).

The seminar brought together researchers and students to discuss contemporary challenges related to migration, urban marginality, public services, and inclusion in urban environments. The event presented research projects developed at DAStU and encouraged interdisciplinary dialogue on how cities respond to migration through policies, planning, and spatial practices.

The programme included keynote presentations by:

• Alice Ranzini, on gender perspectives, stigma, visibility, and urban marginality;
• Beatrice Meloni, on class perspectives on migration;
• Giada Casarin and Maryam Karimi, on immigrant integration and the role of public services.

As part of the event, Maryam Karimi and Giada Casarin, members of CALL Research Lab, presented the upcoming book developed within the Città-IN project, titled “Enabling Immigrant Integration: The Role of Public Services.”

The presentation shared reflections and research insights on immigrant integration and the role of public services and intermediary actors in contemporary urban contexts, with a particular focus on the challenges of adopting the Mediation Grammar framework developed within the easyRights project in local contexts. The discussion highlighted the importance of:

• being present in the context and practising self-reflexivity;
• remaining flexible in the field;
• recognising that knowledge does not always need to be newly produced, but can also emerge through mobilising existing resources and practices;
• promoting forms of support that strengthen users’ agency rather than replace it.

The seminar also offered an important opportunity to discuss these themes with students in Paola Briata and Giulia Marroccoli’s course “Territorial Challenges and Urban Space – The Multicultural Gym”, fostering an open dialogue among research, teaching, and ongoing urban challenges related to migration and inclusion.