18. International Linkages, Local Consequences: The Social and Economic Effects of Transnationalism

SUMMARY

Organizer:

Dan Hiebert
University of British Columbia
CANADA
dhiebert@geog.ubc.ca

Description:

In this session we bring together research and policy studies from Australia, Canada and New Zealand to explore the ways that globalization, through immigration and related international investment, is reshaping cities. We are particularly interested in the ways that immigrants settling in Auckland, Sydney and Vancouver affect the social and economic structures of these places. On the economic side, we explore two themes. First, we look at the ways that immigrants are associated with international capital flows, particularly in the sphere of property investment and land development. The real estate sectors, and landscapes, of all three cities have been transformed by internationalization, and we focus on Auckland and Vancouver as specific cases. Second, we look at immigrants as entrepreneurs that help define the commercial landscapes and employment opportunities of cities. Through investment and trade flows, they also connect the places they move to with those they come from. We will pay close attention to the gendered nature of immigrant entrepreneurialism, exploring the different contexts and outcomes of self-employment for men and women immigrants, particularly in Sydney and Vancouver. On the social side, we examine transnational linkages in two ways that are both situated, mainly, in New Zealand: the participation of immigrants in social organizations; and the changing consumption practices of multicultural cities. Finally, the session will conclude with a presentation by a Canadian policy analyst who will reflect on the implications of emerging transnational communities for immigration and multicultural policies.

Presenters

Frances Chik, University of British Columbia, CANADA
Jock Collins, University of Technology, Sydney, AUSTRALIA Paper
Ward Friesen, University of Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
Robin Kearns, University of Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
Kirsten Lovelock, University of Otago, NEW ZEALAND
Larry Murphy, University of Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
Kris Olds, National University of Singapore, SINGAPORE
Dhiru Patel, Department of Canadian Heritage, CANADA Paper Bibliography Slides Slides

Schedule of Workshop