Community and religion in urban space

• Author: Mihai Pascaru
• Position: University from Alba
• Pages: 85-92

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşo v

Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 12(61) No. 1 – 2019

https://doi.org/10.31926/but.ssl.2019.12.61.1.9

COMMUNITY AND RELIGION

IN URBAN SPACE

Mihai PASCARU1

Abstract: The first two sections of this paper describe some theoretical

areas, covering the concept of community and an analysis of the reports

between the religious and the territorial communities in the urban space.

The third section reviews the results from a research study of the

associations between religious affiliation and other community-related

issues, like community attachment and the propensity towards participation

in community activities (i.e. community involvement). The differential

analysis of these aspects leads to a series of conclusions of practical value for

both the secular and religious institutions.

Keywords: community, religious affiliation, community activities.

1. Introduction

The urban space in particular, constitutes a place of intersection of diverse,

dynamically intertwined communities. Both the territorial and religious communities –

often mediated by the ethnic community – went through a particular evolution process

during the last decades. This happened everywhere in the world due to urbanisat ion,

and so did in Romania.

We’ll be starting by reviewing some of the main issues related to the concept of

community, mentioning some well-known construct s from Ferdinand Tönnies. We will

then be inserting, synthetically, a series of analyses and considerations about religion in

urban space as formulated during the latter half of the last century.

The core of our work surrounds the results of a research we undertoo k in the city of

Alba Iulia, Romania, part of a municipal local development strategy project. The research

team included “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia’s Lecturers Vlad Millea, PhD.,

and Rodica Silvia Stânea, PhD. Out of all findings, we will focus only on the associations

between religious affiliation and the three above mentioned community issues of

attachment, safety and community involvement. Our conclusions will cover both

practical aspects of our analysis and future opportunities for research of the

relationships between religious and territorial communities in the urban space.

1 „1 Decembrie 1918” University from Alba Iulia, mihaipascarupag@gmail.com