Small Grant Scheme on Pandemics, Cities, Regions & Industry: Imaging Housing Hierarchy: Mapping Landlords’ Responses to COVID for German versus Migrant Renters in Berlin — Case of Spandau versus Wedding
This project examined how landlords in two contrasting Berlin districts—Spandau and Wedding—responded to tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on differences between German and migrant renters. Through comparative mixed-methods research, the study mapped variations in housing security, landlord practices, and socio-spatial vulnerabilities. The project provided an early empirical understanding of how crises can reproduce or intensify inequalities within urban rental markets, especially for migrant households. Insights from the research contribute to broader debates on housing justice, pandemic resilience, and urban policy in diverse cities.
“The RSA Small Grant Scheme played a crucial role in advancing my career and research trajectory. The grant provided resources to support research assistance and data analysis, and strengthened my academic collaborations.”
Principal investigator: Mennatullah Hendawy
Dr. Mennatullah Hendawy is an interdisciplinary urban scholar working at the intersection of urban planning, socio-technical systems, ethics, and digital transformation. She has held academic positions and research affiliations at the University of California, Santa Cruz in the United States, the Technical University of Munich, Impact Circles e.V., and the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS) in Germany and Ain Shams University in Egypt.