A comparative study of socio-economic segregation in European capital city-regions: From segregation to desegregation?
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Previous research based on 2001 and 2011 census data indicated rising levels of residential segregation between socio-economic groups in many large city-regions in Europe as well as globally. Rising segregation is an important societal concern, as place of residence plays a crucial role in shaping access to urban opportunities. Residential isolation can be especially harmful for the most vulnerable groups. Income inequality was identified as the primary driver of this segregation. The current paper extends comparative research on residential segregation in Europe by incorporating the latest 2021 census and register-based data to determine whether segregation levels have continued to rise or have peaked, or whether there are signs of desegregation. It also examines how changes in segregation align with shifts in income inequality and occupational structures. A comparative analysis of 16 European capital city-regions shows a slowdown in the rise of segregation, with some city-regions transitioning from segregation to desegregation. These changes coincide with both a slowdown in the growth of income inequality and increased professionalisation of the workforce. The study suggests that future research should focus on the mechanisms driving residential desegregation in different urban contexts, with particular attention to the diversification of residential patterns among the expanding professional class.
Source: Urban Studies
Authors: Rūta Ubarevičienė, Tiit Tammaru, Maarten van Ham, Leandro Basílio Junior, Māris Bērziņš, Kevin Credit, Diogo Gaspar Silva, Richard Harris, Kadi Kalm, Timo Kauppinen, Zaiga Krišjāne, Jorge Malheiros, Thomas Maloutas, David Manley, Sako Musterd, Oriol Nel·lo, Milena Nevanto, Ladislav Novotný, Martin Ouředníček, Sergio Porcel, Antonine Ribardière, Martin Šimon, Maciej Smętkowski, Stavros Spyrellis, Magnus Strömgren, Wouter van Gent, Terje Wessel
Institutions: Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Estonian Academy of Sciences, University of Tartu, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, University of Latvia, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, University of Lisbon, University of Bristol, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Harokopio University of Athens, National Centre for Social research, University of Amsterdam, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, University of Helsinki, University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik, Charles University, Institut Metròpoli, Pôle de Recherche pour l'Organisation et la Diffusion de l'Information Géographique, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Sociology, University of Warsaw, Umeå University, University of Oslo
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,900
OpenAlex ID: W4416534465