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On the social significance of spatial location; Spatial segregation and social inclusion

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Abstract

This article gives an overview of the positive and negative aspects of spatial concentration and segregation. We argue that much of the literature is biased; it emphasizes the drawbacks of spatial concentration and segregation of low-income groups in general and immigrants in particular. The opportunities offered by concentration and segregation, which almost always depend on the presence of local solidarity networks, are given less attention. These opportunities are mainly treated in the literature on ethnic entrepreneurs. Much of the literature on the effects of spatial concentration and segregation is based on research in the United States. Thus, we have to be very careful when we apply the results to West European countries. The overview concludes with some suggestions for further research.

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Authors
  1. Gideon Bolt
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  2. Jack Burgers
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  3. Ronald van Kempen
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Additional information

This paper was first presented at the COST-CIVITAS Conference on Social Fragmentation, Social Cohesion and Urban Governance in Oslo, 5–7 June 1997.

Gideon Bolt is a PhD researcher at the Urban Research Centre Utrecht, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Utrecht University. His work concerns the importance of the neighborhood with regard to the migration patterns of Turks.

Jack Burgers is an associate professor of sociology at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam.

Ronald van Kempen is an associate professor at the Urban Research Centre Utrecht, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.

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Bolt, G., Burgers, J. & van Kempen, R. On the social significance of spatial location; Spatial segregation and social inclusion. Neth J of Housing and the Built Environment 13, 83–95 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02496935

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