Segregaation

Segregaation, commonly spelled segregation, refers to the separation of people into distinct groups within a society, based on attributes such as race, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic status. The separation can be physical—such as separate housing, schools, or public facilities—or social and economic, affecting access to resources, opportunities, and political influence.

It can result from laws and official policies (de jure segregation) or from informal practices and disparities in wealth, housing, and education (de facto segregation). The mechanisms include government action, urban planning, housing policy, school assignment rules, and social norms that reinforce division.

Historically, segregation has taken prominent forms in various countries. In the United States, Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while in South Africa, apartheid legally separated populations for decades. Urban planning, redlining, unequal school funding, and selective housing markets have historically contributed to enduring patterns of segregation in many cities around the world.

Policy responses have aimed to reduce segregation and promote integration. In the United States, landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 sought to prohibit discriminatory practices and encourage desegregation. International human rights frameworks discourage discrimination and support equal protection under the law. Contemporary discussions around segregation examine its persistence in housing, education, and digital spaces, and consider tools such as inclusive zoning, equitable school funding, and policies that promote mixed-income communities.