Selection of cities and neighbourhoods to monitor

The eleven cities included in the monitoring were selected on the basis of background research reports produced by EUMAP in 2007 looking at the situation of Muslims in seven EU countries.

It was initially thought that just one city per country would be sufficient to gather comparative data across the countries monitored. However, it was decided that, given the diversity of the Muslim communities, for those countries with a larger population, two cities would be required. As such, it was decided to select two cities each from the following countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, and one city each from Belgium, Denmark and Sweden — in total 11 cities.

To enable the selection of cities to include in the monitoring, as well as to finalise the methodology for the monitoring, it was decided to gather comprehensive background information in the seven selected countries in the preliminary stage of the project. To this end, background research reports were commissioned on each of the selected countries, including a comprehensive annex to each with relevant recent literature (from 1996 on), whether in English or other languages.

Criteria used for the city selection

The criteria used for the selection are as follows:

Population size: the project is premised in the assumption that, although Muslims constitute a small proportion of the total population of the countries included in the monitoring (between 3 and 6 per cent), their concentration in particular urban areas ensures that Municipal authorities are required to be more responsive to their needs and concerns, and Muslims are more likely to be able to influence policies at the municipal level. Unfortunately, however, due to lack of data there is often no accurate figure of the size of the Muslim population in a city.    

Population diversity: overall, the selection of cities should capture, as far as possible, the ethnic diversity of the Muslim populations across the countries included in the monitoring. It is also important in selecting cities to ensure there is a balance between those cities where Muslims are predominately from one ethnic group and those in which Muslims are from a diverse range of ethnic groups. This would be particularly important where two cities are selected in one country.

Political context: the city selection must also take into account the local political context. In some cities, for example Rotterdam and Antwerp, the presence and issues around the integration of Muslims have been a key issue in municipal elections. In other cities, such as Amsterdam, Marseilles and Leicester, local political leaders have celebrated the diversity of the city and challenged racism. The representation of Muslims in city councils is also relevant. The city selection should include both types of cities to ensure that it captures the challenges faced by Muslim communities and civil society, as well as officials operating in these different political climates.     

On the basis of the information provided in the research papers, the following eleven cities have been selected as a priority to include in the monitoring:

The selection of neighbourhoods

Within each city, the Muslims in EU Cities monitoring will focus on experiences in particular neighbourhoods and sub municipal localities with significant Muslim population, whilst placing it in the context of the wider city and municipal level developments.

The inclusion of such a more specific focus allows for examining how both Muslims and non-Muslims feel about their city, but also the neighbourhood they live in. What sense of belonging do they have to either or both? What positive and negative aspects do they identify about both their neighbourhood and their city? How was their choice of neighbourhood or area affected by their position on the local housing market? What is the nature and extent of interactions between Muslims and non Muslims in their neighbourhood? What would they like the municipal authorities to do to improve their neighbourhood?

The confirmed neighbourhoods within the cities under study are: