Place Identity and Transnationalism in Australia: Cross-cultural Participation of Balinese Migrants
Dewi Jayanti, Monash University
The paper examines the emergence of the cross-cultural phenomenon of transnational migrants in Australia from the perspectives of planning, participation and design. Issues about change in spatial qualities and cultural participation are broadly discussed, including place identity in relational space, the sense of multiple belongings between the country of origin and the country of residence (Australia), and discourse about multiple identities. The research draws on a case study of Balinese migrants in Australia who reside in Sydney and Melbourne.
This community is small in number when compared with other migrant communities such as those coming from Italy and Greece. Yet, because of their unique cultural background, the Balinese community can provide us with important insight into people's sense of place and identity as well as its influence on the East-meets-West meaning of 'home'. The paper also observes the migrant's cross-cultural impact in forming national identity of Australia.
