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Project
Navigating Life in Migration: Socio-Spatial Integration of Newcomers (FWOTM1325)
As migration continues to shape European societies, understanding migrant integration remains a
pressing challenge. While research has extensively examined structural aspects of integration—such
as labour market participation, education, and housing—less attention has been given to the sociospatial
dimension: how migrants navigate public and informal spaces in their daily lives, and how this
shapes their social networks. This research addresses this gap by investigating the role of third
places—social spaces beyond home and work—in shaping newcomers’ social networks, belonging,
and mental wellbeing. Moreover, by focussing on newcomers, it addresses an understudied
demographic. This research adopts a mixed-methods approach, integrating a large-scale respondent
driven survey with qualitative methods, including interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic
observations. It applies an intersectional lens to examine how socio-demographic factors affect
migrants' access to and experiences within these spaces. By comparing socio-spatial indicators (e.g.,
third-place use, social networks) with classical integration metrics (e.g., employment, education,
language proficiency), this research provides an innovative framework for understanding integration
as a multidimensional process. Ultimately, this study informs broader European debates on
integration, social cohesion, and wellbeing, offering an empirically grounded perspective on the lived
experiences of newcomers in Belgium.
pressing challenge. While research has extensively examined structural aspects of integration—such
as labour market participation, education, and housing—less attention has been given to the sociospatial
dimension: how migrants navigate public and informal spaces in their daily lives, and how this
shapes their social networks. This research addresses this gap by investigating the role of third
places—social spaces beyond home and work—in shaping newcomers’ social networks, belonging,
and mental wellbeing. Moreover, by focussing on newcomers, it addresses an understudied
demographic. This research adopts a mixed-methods approach, integrating a large-scale respondent
driven survey with qualitative methods, including interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic
observations. It applies an intersectional lens to examine how socio-demographic factors affect
migrants' access to and experiences within these spaces. By comparing socio-spatial indicators (e.g.,
third-place use, social networks) with classical integration metrics (e.g., employment, education,
language proficiency), this research provides an innovative framework for understanding integration
as a multidimensional process. Ultimately, this study informs broader European debates on
integration, social cohesion, and wellbeing, offering an empirically grounded perspective on the lived
experiences of newcomers in Belgium.
Date:1 Nov 2025 → Today
Keywords:belonging, mental wellbeing, socio-spatial integration
Disciplines:Sociology of health, Migration, Anthropology of mobility, Urban and regional geography, Urban sociology and community studies