Inhabiting Spaces of Liminality: Migrants in Omonia, Athens

When a dominant group yields space to the ‘other’, boundaries are redrawn in urban space or time. However, as migration increases, the ‘other’ becomes increasingly diverse. Through a study of the Omonia area of Athens, this article addresses two gaps at the intersection of urban and migration studies: (How) is spatial differentiation constructed and negotiated among migrant groups? (How) is it maintained over time? Findings enrich our understanding of liminal moments and zones. Different migrant groups maintain distinct spatial boundaries within overlapping areas without overt conflict; and access to distinct spaces is negotiated over time within migrant groups. This is discussed in terms of the role of norms of public behaviour and modes of socialisation in defining divisions in public space.