Sociologija 2020 Volume 62, Issue 4, Pages: 590-611
https://doi.org/10.2298/SOC2004590P
Full text ( 585 KB)
Global-local knowledge exchange and the emergence of translocal spaces in the city: The case of Belgrade
Petrović Jelisaveta (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philosophy), jelisaveta.petrovic@f.bg.ac.rs
Toković Milena (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philosophy), milena.tokovic@f.bg.ac.rs
The focus of this paper is exploration of translocal spaces through
examination of global-local knowledge exchange between middling migrants and
‘cosmopolitan’ locals in semi-peripheral urban contexts. Translocal spaces
are taken as concrete places (workplace, venue of business meeting, places
for entertainment and recreation, public spaces, etc.) where interactions
between middling migrants and the local population occur and where global
and local knowledge, experience and practice are exchanged. The analysis is
based on the results of qualitative research conducted in Belgrade (from
November 2018 to March 2019). The sample is composed of 42 respondents: 21
middling migrants (well-educated transmigrants employed in international
companies, developmental agencies, embassies and universities) and 21
‘cosmopolitan’ locals (Serbian employees in international companies and
agencies who have been educated abroad and/or have a rich experience of
working in a multinational environment). The paper focuses on two aspects:
(1) opportunities and obstacles for globallocal knowledge exchange; and (2)
spaces in Belgrade where this exchange most frequently occurs and that, as a
consequence, become translocal.
Keywords: Middling migration, translocal spaces, global-local knowledge exchange, Belgrade
Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 179035: Challenges of New Social Integration in Serbia: Concepts and actors (subproject “Territorial Capital in Serbia - Structural and Action Potential of Local Development