Desirable or unremarkable? Perceiving and living with diversity in public squares

The city has long been conceptualized as a place where encounters between strangers are the norm, not the exception. In cities characterized by diversity, these encounters happen across all sorts of differences. This paper highlights the subtle ways in which people navigate diversity under the physical conditions and specific norms that characterize small-scale neighborhood squares in Zurich. Findings from 63 interviews reveal that while differences between individuals are perceived, they are seldom judged harshly. People generally appreciate diversity, and some visit the square especially for this reason, but to most, the square users’ diversity passes unremarked. Even when disapproving of certain behavior or individuals, most people uphold norms of civility and do not substantially change their use of the space. I argue that this “not taking action” is a response to diversity in its own right, reflecting a high capacity for being co-present with unknown and different others.