Residential dynamics and neighbourhood conditions of older migrants and native Dutch older adults in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract

The share of older migrants in Dutch cities is increasing. However, only limited knowledge has been gained about the urban conditions that older migrants live in and how these compare to those of their native Dutch counterparts. This paper contributes to filling this knowledge gap using detailed information on residential patterns, housing conditions and levels of neighbourhood deprivation in the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and links this information to data about housing and neighbourhood satisfaction and perceived safety. Empirical evidence demonstrates that there is strong path dependence with regard to the places in which one finds different groups of older non-Western migrants. Older non-Western migrants in Amsterdam are highly concentrated in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The number of concentrations has increased significantly over the past decade, as well as the concentration levels. Nevertheless, we did not find indications of social isolation. With regard to housing conditions, we found better conditions for socio-economically similar groups of native Dutch and Surinamese 55+ residents, compared to Turkish and Moroccan 55+ residents. These conditions correspond with levels of housing satisfaction. Surinamese older people are more positive about their neighbourhoods. We hypothesise that this is related to the restructuring of neighbourhoods where Surinamese 55+ residents are concentrated. Although the immediate environment of older non-Western people is characterised by high levels of social deprivation, this does not translate into dissatisfaction with social relations or feelings of lack of safety. This suggests that their residential concentration in particular urban neighbourhoods may also bring significant opportunities.

Everyday discrimination in the neighbourhood: what a ‘doing’ perspective on age and ethnicity can offer

“…In many European countries, migrants are more likely to move to and live in cities (Koceva et al 2016), and older migrants living in deprived urban neighbourhoods are among the most socio-spatially disadvantaged groups ( see e.g. Scharf, Phillipson and Smith 2005; van der Greft, Musterd and Thissen 2016). For Amsterdam, the largest city in the Netherlands, van der Greft, Musterd and Thissen (2016: 189) found a strong path-dependence of ethnicity and residential areas, claiming that ‘Older non-Western migrants in Amsterdam are highly concentrated in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.…”

“…Scharf, Phillipson and Smith 2005; van der Greft, Musterd and Thissen 2016). For Amsterdam, the largest city in the Netherlands, van der Greft, Musterd and Thissen (2016: 189) found a strong path-dependence of ethnicity and residential areas, claiming that ‘Older non-Western migrants in Amsterdam are highly concentrated in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The number of concentrations has increased significantly over the past decade, as well as the concentration levels’.…”

Multiple disadvantage of older migrants and native Dutch older adults in deprived neighbourhoods in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: a life course perspective

“…Others have reported on the potentially harmful living conditions of older migrants living in inner city neighbourhoods, especially with respect to housing quality, social deprivation and crime (Becker 2003;Nitsche and Suijker 2003;Van der Greft et al 2014). Exclusionary processes within the neighbourhood can be aggravated by urban change (Buffel et al 2013;Scharf et al 2001).…”

“…The Surinamese older adults predominantly lived in the Bijlmer (EGK neighbourhood) and the Indische buurt. The study areas were selected because research had shown an overrepresentation of older non-Western migrants in each of these neighbourhoods (Van der Greft et al 2014). Based on our review of the literature, we hypothesise that neighbourhood ethnic composition may affect older people's neighbourhood experiences with regard to the proximity of ethnic services and members of a similar ethnic and cultural background.…”

“…Older non-Western migrants are generally considered more disadvantaged than native older adults (Warnes et al 2004), but since there are commonly huge socioeconomic differences, a comparison only makes sense when studying older people with a similar socioeconomic position. Ultimately, the life and neighbourhood experiences of older nonWestern migrants might be rather similar (or even more favourable) to those of socioeconomically similar groups of native older residents living in deprived neighbourhoods (Van der Greft et al 2014).…”