3.7.1 Countering social exclusion
Integration has become an important part of policy and planning throughout an expanding Europe, and particularly in urban areas. Cities must be especially attuned to the need to integrate various social groups into community life due to the intensity of contact between both individuals and groups, the density of urban centres, and the logistical and financial difficulties entailed in the management and delivery of public services in large populations. Further complicating the picture is the fact that oftentimes socially excluded individuals or groups may be part of larger, “included' groups," further intensifying the experience of social exclusion. Those at risk of social exclusion, and hence in need of responsive integration strategies, include:

• People with special needs
• The elderly and aged
• Homeless and transient persons
• Refugees, migrant workers, and asylum seekers
• Young persons
• Ethnic minorities

As noted, persons in these groups may be excluded in various ways from conventional life depending on an array of societal factors. Special needs citizens, for instance, may face increased discrimination due to traditional concepts and treatment of special needs in both public and private life. These persons, however, may face less barriers than ethnic minorities in the same community in other areas of their lives, i.e. their right to practice their religion or express their cultural heritage. Social exclusion comprises various dimensions, including: (1)

• access to public and private services
• social resources
• economic participation
• social participation
• culture, education and skills
• political and civic participation
• health and well-being
• living environment
• crime, harm and criminalisation

It is apparent that social exclusion is a far-reaching and multidimensional issue which requires considerable attention and sensitivity both in definition and alleviation. (2)

3.7.2 Refugees, migrant workers and asylum seekers
Refugees, migrant workers and asylum seekers represent a heterogeneous group of persons who bring new experiences and views thus enhancing the social fabric of their host communities. However, these groups typically face varying degrees of institutional, personal and social barriers to inclusion in local community life. They may not be from the same culture or area, but rather bring with them their own cultural values, traditions and customs that may conflict with those of the host society. Integration of these groups requires understanding and acceptance of these differences by the local population to break down the practical barriers to integration. In addition to facing local resistance, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are confronted with technical barriers such as acquiring a new language, adjusting to local standards of living and behaviour and finding suitable employment. This is especially important to address given the richness of European tradition, and wide spectrum of customs and cultures that vary across the continent. (3)

3.7.2.1 Case: LETS Circle Woudrichem – Netherlands (4)
In an exceptional show of innovation and bold initiative, immigrant residents of Woudrichem, in the Netherlands, established a project which successfully promoted the fluid integration into Dutch society of over 500 asylum seekers who were forced to live on a boat while awaiting their asylum processing.

The residents organised a trading scheme using an alternative currency for the boat community, as the asylum seekers were not allowed to participate in Dutch economic life. The organizers used a currency called the Druppel, or water drop, which was the equivalent of one Euro. They then established a Local Exchange Trading System (LETS) for the exchange of trade between populations, thus enabling asylum seekers to work and gain a sense of control over their lives while they waited for a decision. The organization arranged employment with private Dutch individuals, and eventually mediated work placement in companies in return for Druppels. Overall, they were able to exchange more than € 250,000 worth of Druppels. Results showed that participants in the scheme were better able to integrate into Dutch society and had a higher rate of Dutch language acquisition than other facilities without the scheme.

3.7.3 Homeless and transient persons
Often overlooked in official statistics because of the difficulty of capturing their information in surveys, the homeless and transient make up a small but important group of excluded individuals in Europe. These individuals are classified into four groups according to their living status: (3)

• Roofless - having no shelter of any kind
• Houseless - in temporary shelters or institutions
• Insecurely Housed - under threat of eviction, violence or other threats to residence
• Inadequately Housed - residing in campsites, dilapidated structures or otherwise

When homeless and transient populations suffer mental, physical or social disorders it becomes even more difficult to integrate them into the local community. Compounding this problem is a tendency for these persons to be stigmatised by the public as unreliable and unemployable, creating further disincentive for self-interation in the community.

3.7.4 People with special needs
People with special needs often suffer from the harshest instances of discrimination in society, either socially, economically or institutionally, making them relatively worse off than other members of their social group. For instance, a member of an excluded ethnic minority with special needs will be more burdened by barriers to inclusion than their more able-bodied piers. Information on creating accessible cities and meeting the needs of people with a disability is provided in the section on "Accessibility for Special Needs."

3.7.5 Youth and the elderly
The young and the elderly have their own special set of circumstances, which must be addressed to include them in community activities. In some aspects, the issues affecting the young and aged are interrelated. For instance, the elderly may suffer disproportionately higher levels of crime in urban areas as a matter of contact proximity, and therefore self-exclude themselves from social activities to reduce their vulnerability. On the other hand, increases in crime and delinquent behaviour are most likely to result from such issues affecting youth as lack of social inclusion, job opportunities, etc. Thus, policies which address criminal activity by fostering greater community ownership and interaction of youth with the elderly can bring about solutions for both groups concurrently.

Similarly, the elderly should be included in the economic life of cities as their numbers and life expectancy continue to increase across Europe. At the same time, though youth may lack experience and clear direction, they should nevertheless be actively engaged by both private and public partnerships to become active in the social, economic, and political spheres as their voices bring renewed energy to the life of a city. By sharing experience and energy, both groups can work together to improve the quality of urban life. These issues are further addressed in the section on “Demographic Factors.”

3.7.6 Ethnic and religious minorities
Ethnic and religious minorities represent one of the most publicised cases of social exclusion in Europe, as demographic trends and political events magnify the consequences of inadequate inclusion policy. Contemporary security concerns resulting from global conflicts and international terrorism have caused a backlash against associated ethnic minorities and hampered integration efforts over the past year; however, great strides are being made to remedy this situation.

Many minorities have been living in their host countries for many years--owning homes and cars, going to work regularly and doing all the things native community members do. Interestingly, a case study in the United Kingdom found that today's young are less averse to change and radicalism than their parents' generation. (5) Such assessment shows that now, more than ever, engagement is crucial, not only for ethnic and religious minorities, but for all socially excluded persons and groups. In today’s global economy, this issue is particularly critical to urban areas as centres of interaction, communication, trade and political debate. Sustainable urban management must take into account the needs of local and new populations alike in order to create urban environments that are inclusive of all its inhabitants.

3.7.7 References

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