Global-Local Knowledge Exchange and the Emergence of Translocal Spaces in the City: The Case of Belgrade

Abstract

The focus of this paper is exploration of translocal spaces through examination of global-local knowledge exchange between middling migrants and ‘cosmopolitan’ locals in semi-peripheral urban contexts. Translocal spaces are taken as concrete places (workplace, venue of business meeting, places for entertainment and recreation, public spaces, etc.) where interactions between middling migra nts and the local population occur and where global and local knowledge, experience and practice are exchanged. The analysis is based on the results of qualitative research conducted in Belgrade (from November 2018 to March 2019). The sample is composed of 42 respondents: 21 middling migrants (well-educated transmigrants employed in international companies, developmental agencies, embassies and universities) and 21 ‘cosmopolitan’ locals (Serbian employees in international companies and agencies who have been educated abroad and/or have a rich experience of working in a multinational environment). The paper focuses on two aspects: (1) opportunities and obstacles for globallocal knowledge exchange; and (2) spaces in Belgrade where this exchange most frequently occurs and that, as a consequence, become translocal.