Segregation and Geography

Segregation derives from the Latin verb “to separate” or “to divide,” and in the social sciences, it defines the separation of a group of people from the rest of the population. Segregation does not have to be a particularly geographical phenomenon—it can involve any manner of separation—but it often takes geographical forms and is most apparent in cities where the social patterns of people are distinct. The study of segregation has become an important topic in human geography. It also lends itself well to the tool kits of geography, from maps to spatial statistics to ethnography. Geographers have discussed segregation in several ways: from helping describe it, to revealing the processes that cause it, to an understanding of what segregation means to those who experience it.

Any group of people can be segregated, and these patterns are apparent in the city. Segregation on the basis of income defines the broad social areas in cities, with neighborhoods divided between low, middle, and higher incomes. Segregation on the basis of life cycle considers the tendency of neighborhoods to be dominated by people at certain stages of their lives, from young adult singles to families with children, to empty nesters and elderly enclaves. There may also be segregation based on lifestyle, as arts-oriented individuals congregate in neighborhoods more suited to their tastes. However, it is on the basis of race and ethnicity that segregation is most often discussed. In diverse cities—which describe most cities—different cultural groups are more or less likely to cluster together. This creates an uneven geography as certain groups may be found in specific parts of the city and almost absent from other districts. Social scientists are more concerned with this sort of segregation because it seems to be less voluntary than the other forms, indicates profound social tensions, or stems from discrimination.