Residential Micro-Segregation and Social Capital in Lima, Peru

Abstract

This article addresses the bidirectional relationship between residential micro-segregation, in the form of built barriers to mobility, and social capital. I engage with two bodies of the literature. On the one hand, I critique a widespread top-down model of residential segregation. This model suggests that higher-status groups drive segregation through direct (e.g., secluded neighbourhoods) and indirect (e.g., by funnelling housing demand) measures. On the other hand, I provide evidence of the bounding effects of segregation on social capital. While some scholars suggest residential homogeneity favours social capital, others argue that benefits occur within privileged neighbourhoods. The effects of segregation on social capital are less clear at lower scales and in highly unequal Global South cities. My argument is twofold. First, I uncover the dynamics of segregation below the neighbourhood scale. I use the notion of horizontal micro-segregation to identify the social and spatial conditions associated with a higher concentration of street-level segregating infrastructure. My methodological approach draws on data for all residential blocks in Lima, Peru (N = 99,685). I find that suburban-inspired urban design is positively associated with micro-segregating infrastructure, upon controlling for other factors such as socioeconomic status, density, and urbanization age of each block. Second, I provide evidence of the bounding effects of segregation on social capital. Using ten waves of the Lima Cómo Vamos survey (2010–2019), I show that micro-segregating infrastructure is associated with higher trust in neighbours and lower civic engagement. These findings indicate that exposure to segregation affects social capital within and across secluded neighbourhoods throughout the socioeconomic spectrum.

Safety Perceptions and Micro-Segregation: Exploring Gated- and Non-Gated-Community Dynamics in Quetta, Pakistan

“…Another commonly cited reason is the pursuit of a sense of community; however, research conducted in both the US and the UK has not provided substantial evidence to support this claim [17,35]. On the other hand, research in [36] shows that the presence of boundary walls and fences restricts collaborative actions and engagements among the residents of gated and non-gated communities. Additionally, people living in the close proximity of gated communities have a sense of community confined to the people inside the urban gating.…”

Between Struggle, Forgetfulness, and Placemaking: Meanings and Practices among Social Groups in a Metropolitan Urban Park

“…Specifically, "micro-segregation" sheds light on how sociospatial fragmentation and social stratifications are mirrored on a smaller scale than that of neighborhoods, employing a micro-spatial lens (Maloutas & Karadimitriou, 2022 [2]). Recent research has delved into the nuances of residential micro-segregation (i) within affluent neighborhoods, examining the implications of residential closeness on social control and distancing practices (Pfirsch, 2023 [3]), (ii) its impact on social capital at subneighborhood levels (Calderón-Figueroa, 2024 [4]), and (iii) its subtle manifestations even in areas perceived positively by their residents (Vámos, Kagy & Novak, 2023 [5]).…”

Between Struggle, Forgetfulness, and Placemaking: Meanings and Practices among Social Groups in a Metropolitan Urban Park

“…Specifically, 'micro-segregation' sheds light on how sociospatial fragmentation and social stratifications are mirrored on a smaller scale than that of neighborhoods, employing a micro-spatial lens (Maloutas & Karadimitriou, 2022 [2]). Recent research has delved into the nuances of residential micro-segregation (i) within affluent neighborhoods, examining the implications of residential closeness on social control and distancing practices (Pfirsch, 2023 [3]), (ii) its impact on social capital at sub-neighborhood levels (Calderón-Figueroa, 2024 [4]), and (iii) its subtle manifestations even in areas perceived positively by their residents (Vámos, Kagy & Novak, 2023 [5]). However, when considering micro-segregation in the dynamics of public space usage, a different set of challenges emerges.…”