Pluralism and Multiculturalism

This week’s reading Pluralistic Planning for Multicultural Cities by Mohammad A. Qadeer explores planning issues that arise from the cultural diversity of local populations. This includes issues such as the uniformity of policies and standards, equity in accommodating the needs of divergent groups and planning for the expression of cultural values, needs and wants. The author (Mohammad A. Qadeer) promotes multiculturalism which is where cultural identities are supported and maintained and believes pluralistic planning which aims to achieve equal opportunities of diverse groups is a necessity in the modern world as multiculturalism permeates even the smallest details of urban life.  

Qadeer in the article describes that the main effect of multiculturalism on the physical urban environment is that of the forced ethnic spatial concentrations or ethnic enclaves that develop due to the agglomeration of ethnic communities. Although the article focuses on enclaves and pluralism planning in Canada a historically multicultural society this can be applied to Australia where ethnic agglomerations or enclaves are observable in major cities for example Sydney. In Sydney enclaves add to the environment promoting diversity in terms of shopping, food and cultural experience and I believe is an asset to the community and “Little Italy” in Leichardt is an example of this were a large proportion of Italians have settled bringing with them a cultural mix to the greater Sydney community.

Pluralistic planning to allow and supply these enclaves with facilities and infrastructure that support their cultural heritage, business and social traditions is often controversial but an obligation of the planner who is obliged to meet the needs of all members of society. In the article Qadeer discusses some controversial points in Canada where discrimination in terms of housing prices and rentals has been reported against ethnic groups which would be against pluralistic planning that is planning for equality which is not documented but I believe also to a extent occurs in Australia. Overall multiculturalism post World War has been a major factor in the change of city demographics and therefore pluralistic planning has also become of importance for planners to promote equity for all.