Reflecting on the experiences of individuals who have moved to major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, a clear theme emerges: the complexities of establishing connections and a sense of belonging in fast-paced urban environments. These cities, often seen as hubs of opportunity and growth, also present significant social and emotional challenges that can be difficult to navigate.

Challenges of Connection and Belonging:

The sense of connection and belonging, or often the lack thereof, is a recurring issue among the interviewees. Despite the long-term residency and the professional and personal opportunities these cities provide, most participants struggle with feelings of disconnection (Amin and Graham, 2005). The sheer size and fast pace of these urban centres contribute to an impersonal atmosphere where individuals often feel like a small part of a vast, indifferent system. This is particularly true for those who did not grow up in these cities and who may struggle with cultural and language differences that further alienate them from their surroundings (Speller and Twigger‐Ross, 2009).

The transient nature of the populations in these cities exacerbates this sense of disconnection. With people frequently moving in and out, forming lasting relationships becomes a challenge. This transience not only disrupts social bonds but also fosters a sense of instability and impermanence, making it harder for individuals to feel truly rooted in their new environments.

Social and Emotional Challenges:

The social challenges of urban life often translate into significant emotional challenges (Skrede and Andersen, 2022). Loneliness, homesickness, and the pressure to succeed in highly competitive environments are common threads in the narratives of these individuals. The stress of trying to build a career while simultaneously establishing a social network in an often-impersonal city can lead to feelings of anxiety and self-doubt.

The participants’ reflections highlight the paradox of urban life: being surrounded by millions of people yet feeling incredibly isolated. The cities offer endless opportunities for engagement and exploration, yet the pace of life and the focus on individual success often leave little room for the development of deep, meaningful relationships. This social isolation, coupled with the high demands of urban living, can create a significant emotional toll (Gruebner et al., 2017).

The Role of Food in Navigating Urban Life:

Amid these challenges, food emerges as a powerful tool for coping and connection. Comfort food, in particular, plays a crucial role in helping individuals manage the emotional stresses of urban life (Abdullah, 2016). Whether it’s a simple dish that evokes memories of home or a shared meal that bridges cultural gaps, food provides a sense of continuity and comfort in otherwise overwhelming environments.

Food also serves as a social connector. Sharing meals, whether familiar dishes from home or local specialties, allows individuals to create bonds with others in their new cities (Coleman, 2023). This act of sharing food not only introduces cultural exchange but also fosters a sense of community and belonging that is often hard to come by in large urban centres. Through food, individuals can recreate a sense of home and identity, even when they are far from their place of origin.

Balancing the New and the Familiar:

The interviewees’ experiences also illustrate the delicate balance they must strike between embracing the opportunities and culture of their new cities and maintaining a connection to their roots. While they navigate the complexities of urban life, food becomes a way to blend the new with the familiar, providing a bridge between their past and present (Long, 2017). This balance is essential for their emotional well-being and their ability to feel at home in an otherwise foreign environment.

Final Thoughts and questions for following interventions:

• Exploring the Role of Food in Urban Identity Formation:

How does the consumption and sharing of food from one’s place of origin influence the identity and sense of belonging of individuals living in large urban centres?

Thoughts: The interviews suggest that food acts as a critical link between the past and present for urban dwellers. Interventions could focus on how food helps individuals maintain cultural identity and emotional stability in cities that often feel foreign and isolating.

• Emotional Resilience and Urban Living:

What factors contribute to emotional resilience among individuals living in fast-paced, high-pressure urban environments, and how does food play a role in this resilience?

Thoughts: The emotional challenges of urban life, such as loneliness, homesickness, and stress, highlight the need for research into how individuals develop resilience in these settings. Food, as a coping mechanism, could be a focal point in understanding how everyday practices contribute to mental well-being.

• Cultural Integration Through Food:

Research Question: How does the exchange of food practices between locals and newcomers facilitate cultural integration in large cities?

Thoughts: Food not only serves as a personal comfort but also as a medium for cultural exchange and integration. Research could investigate how sharing food from different cultural backgrounds helps build bridges between diverse communities in cities. This could involve studying the role of food in breaking down cultural barriers, fostering mutual understanding, and creating inclusive urban environments.

With these questions in mind, I will continue my research on food, culture and socialization and use this to design the first phase of my intervention, which will take place in early August.

Reference

Amin, A. and Graham, S., 2005. Cities of connection and disconnection. In Unsettling cities (pp. 7-53). Routledge.

Abdullah, N., 2016. Comfort food, memory, and ‘Home’: Senses in transnational contexts. In Everyday life in Asia (pp. 171-190). Routledge.

Coleman, W.P., 2023. Why Is Comfort Food Comforting?: A Test of the Social Surrogacy Hypothesis (Master’s thesis, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, School of Graduate Studies).

Gruebner, O., Rapp, M.A., Adli, M., Kluge, U., Galea, S. and Heinz, A., 2017. Cities and mental health. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 114(8), p.121.

Long, L.M., 2017. Comfort food in culinary tourism: Negotiating” home” as exotic and familiar. Comfort food: Meanings and memories, pp.126-149.

Speller, G.M. and Twigger‐Ross, C.L., 2009. Cultural and social disconnection in the context of a changed physical environment. Geografiska Annaler: Series B, Human Geography, 91(4), pp.355-369.

Skrede, J. and Andersen, B., 2022. The emotional element of urban densification. Local Environment, 27(2), pp.251-263.