Boendesegregation

Boendesegregation refers to the spatial separation of population groups across neighborhoods or housing blocks within a city or region, typically along lines of income, race or ethnicity, immigration status, language, or religion. It results in a geography where some areas accumulate advantages in housing quality, schools, and services, while others experience concentrated poverty and limited access.

Causes and mechanisms include housing affordability gaps, discrimination in renting and lending, and zoning or planning rules that restrict the supply of affordable housing in higher-cost areas. Historical patterns of segregation, urban renewal, and the development of transportation networks influence where people can live and work. Market forces intersect with policy choices, such as tax-funded services or school funding formulas, which can reinforce unequal residential outcomes.

The consequences of boendesegregation include unequal access to quality education, healthcare, employment, and social networks; differential exposure to crime or pollution; and limited social mobility. Segregated neighborhoods may also experience underinvestment and weaker political voice, perpetuating cycles of disadvantage for residents and their children.

Policy responses aim to reduce segregation and its effects. These include anti-discrimination enforcement in housing and lending, inclusionary zoning or density bonuses to increase affordable units in diverse areas, public housing programs, targeted housing subsidies, and investments in transportation and public services to improve access across neighborhoods. Monitoring and measuring segregation with indices helps evaluate progress and guide policy adjustments.