PLANNING FOR COPTIC EGYPTIAN IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master in Urban and Regional Planning By Yvette A. Shenouda 2018 SIGNATURE PAGE THESIS: PLANNING FOR COPIC EGYPTIAN IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AUTHOR: Yvette A. Shenouda DATE SUBMITTED: Fall 2018 Department of Urban & Regional Planning Dr. Alvaro Huerta __________________________________________ Thesis Committee Chair Assistant Professor, Urban & Regional Planning Dr. Jerry Mitchell __________________________________________ Thesis Committee Member Professor, Urban & Regional Planning Mr. Richard Zimmer __________________________________________ Thesis Committee Member Lecturer, Urban & Regional Planning ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank His Eminence, Metropolitan Serapion, the first hierarch and bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii, for his ongoing support and approval to conduct the study in the Coptic churches in southern California. I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to his Grace Bishop Abraham, Father Joseph Boules, Father Athanasius Ragheb, Dr. Saad Michael Saad, Reda Bishay, Mary Boules, Sandra Abdelmalak and Magy Gharghoury for their help and support. This research would not be complete without the cooperation of the priests and congregations that took the time to participate, whether by participating in a focus group, interview study or completing a survey, in this study. The perspective of each Coptic participant was enlightening. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my advisor Professor Alvaro Huerta, for his continuous support of my master’s study. Dr. Huerta was patient, motivating, and immensely knowledgeable. He taught me to think outside the box and allowed me to draw the best out of myself. His guidance has helped me during my time researching and writing this thesis. I could not have imagined having a better advisor and mentor. Under his guidance, I have started believing that, with creativity, anything is possible. I would also like to thank the rest of my thesis committee: Professor Jerry Mitchell and Professor Richard Zimmer. Professor Mitchell taught me that we need people’s involvement, because without them we cannot move forward and reach the planning goals. Professor Zimmer taught me to be a human before being a planner. I am grateful for their insightful comments, encouragement, and thought-provoking questions. iii All of which have helped widen my research perspectives. It was in their classes that the seeds of this thesis germinated. Now that it has come to fruition, words cannot express how grateful I am to them all. I would like to thank all of my professors in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning. I have learned so much from each of them on both a personal and academic level. “Look at the branches of a tree. The branch which has no fruits stands high. But the branch which has abundance of fruit stays lower or down to earth.” (Thekkittil, 2016). The more you are full of knowledge and wisdom, the more you are full of humility. I would also like to thank the people who have influenced my life in general: my husband Ashraf; my children Mark, Marlee, Melina, and Michael; my parents Moon and Anwar Ghebrial; my siblings Ashraf Gabriel and Anne Armanious; my in-laws Neven A. Gabriel and Faheem Armanious; my nephews Antwon Gabriel and Immanuel Armanious; my nieces Ilona Gabriel and Joana Armanious; and my friends for supporting me through writing this thesis. Most importantly, I owe everything to my Lord and Savior. I hope that in some way, this research brings Him glory. iv ABSTRACT This thesis emphasizes the importance of planners’ work with immigrants in California, especially given that California receives more immigrants than most states. Coptic, a word derived from the Greek word meaning, Egyptian, refers to a Christian from that nation. The number of Coptic immigrants has increased dramatically in southern California since the 2011 revolution in Egypt. Despite the challenges they face as newcomers, Coptic immigrants show successful integrations in their cities. They feel disconnected and intimidated by political life, because of their lack of involvement in their homeland. However, Copts who become actively engaged with their cities often feel connected to their communities. This connection encourages them to invest time, money, and energy into the cities, from owning an individual residential property to larger investments, such as new businesses and better schools. “Immigrant Integration in their cities is a dynamic, two-way process in which immigrants and the receiving society work together to build secure, vibrant, and cohesive communities” (American Immigration Council, 2017). The level of integrations is a two- way process between the immigrants and the society. American Planning Association Principles (AICP) states, “We shall give people the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the development of plans and programs that may affect them. Participation should be broad enough to include those who lack formal organization or influence.” This thesis is the first step in building bridges between Coptic voice and the planning commissions by conducting field work to listening to Copts needs, concerns, and interests in their cities. v TABLE OF CONTENTS SIGNATURE PAGE .......................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iii ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ v LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 Research Questions and Hypothesis ............................................................................ 5 Immigrants ................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................... 11 Fieldwork Among Mexican Migrants ....................................................................... 11 Diverse Stakeholders ................................................................................................. 12 Participation of Second-Generation Immigrants ....................................................... 13 Parent Integration ...................................................................................................... 13 Asian Immigrant’s Acculturation Attitude in the USA ............................................. 14 Egyptian Integration in Egypt After The 2011 Revolution ....................................... 15 CHAPTER 3: COPTIC EGYPTIAN ................................................................................ 16 History and Statistics of Coptic Egyptian in the U.S. ............................................... 16 Coptic Immigrant Socioeconomic Integration .......................................................... 21 Coptic Immigrant Cultural Integration ...................................................................... 28 Coptic Immigrant Political Integration ...................................................................... 32 Challenges ................................................................................................................. 32 CHAPTER 4: RESEARCH METHODS .......................................................................... 34 Research Design and Methodology ........................................................................... 37 Sample Frame and Recruitment Techniques ............................................................. 37 Procedures ................................................................................................................. 39 Validity and Reliability ............................................................................................. 40 Limitations of The Study ........................................................................................... 40 Research Context ....................................................................................................... 40 Interview and Focus Group Questions Descriptions, Benefits, and Challenges ....... 41 Survey Questions ....................................................................................................... 42 CHAPTER 5: FINDING & THEMES .............................................................................. 45 Demographic Data ..................................................................................................... 45 Language & Culture .................................................................................................. 51 Transportations .......................................................................................................... 54 Affordable Homes & Multi Family Homes ............................................................... 57 vi Education ..................................................................................................................