Spatial Perceptions in a Marginalized Urban Area: Understanding Place, Stigma and Everyday Belonging

Stereotypical spatial constructions are a socially powerful instrument of generalizing and simplifying complex socio-spatial realities while often carrying negative connotations. These constructions contribute to the stigmatization of marginalized neighborhoods. Against this background, this qualitative study uses the example of the socio-spatially disadvantaged district of Duisburg-Marxloh in western Germany to examine how spatial constructions from public discourse influence the local population. The study focuses on subjective perspectives and experiences of young girls with migrant background living in the district. Three semi-structured group interviews were conducted with a total of seven participants. Given the exploratory, in-depth design of the study and the small sample size, the findings should be interpreted with caution and are context-specific. Content analysis results show that external spatial constructions of Marxloh shape not only society's view of the district, but also the self-image of its residents, to the extent that stigmatizing narratives are internalized and reproduced. These findings highlight the urgent need to empower young people in marginalized areas, enabling them to challenge dominant narratives and express their own place-based perspectives.