Uneven geographies: Exploring the sensitivity of spatial indices of residential segregation

Abstract

There has been extensive use of segregation indices for measuring residential segregation since 1950s, with continuous progress made in the field. Recent developments include the propositions of spatial global and local versions of traditionally used segregation indices, which have opened avenues for representing and analysing segregation as a multiscale and spatially varying phenomenon. Much less explored has been the issue of how important research design choices, such as the extent of geographical boundaries, grouping systems and scales of analysis, can influence the measurement of segregation. This paper contributes in this direction by investigating the impact of such decisions in the outcomes of the indices of generalized dissimilarity (D) and information theory (H) using a set of sensitivity analysis. Using a comparative study between London and São Paulo as basis, results obtained with different geographical boundaries, grouping systems and scales for the two indices are analysed visually and quantitatively. Results suggest that although D and H depict the same spatial dimension of segregation (unevenness/clustering), they present different sensitivity to geographical boundaries and grouping systems. The study also revealed how the two indices unfold different aspects of the segregation, which impact on their interpretation and applicability. The study concludes with a discussion of the considerations on research design choices concerning the interpretation of the results, which indicate the two indices should not be used interchangeably.

Cumulative (and self-reinforcing) spatial inequalities: Interactions between accessibility and segregation in four Brazilian metropolises

“…Spatial segregation is measured at the metropolitan level by diversity and isolation indices, representing two of its primary conceptual dimensions (Barros and Feitosa, 2018; Harris and Owen, 2018). At the metropolitan level, the spatial isolation index indicates the potential contact between people belonging to the same group.…”

“…In all cases, however, the relation between these two dimensions is far from straightforward and the city of Rio de Janeiro (Moran 0.113) is a good example of this phenomenon. Since segregation is related to the spatial concentration of social groups (Barros and Feitosa, 2018), very often, when the political and financial power of elites combines with the desire for particular services, segregation of the upper classes means higher access to opportunities (Pinçon-Charlot and Pinçon, 1989). However, it may also create highly segregated neighborhoods in distant parts of the city (Caldeira, 2001).…”

Population Grids for Analysing Long-Term Change in Ethnic Diversity and Segregation

“…Analyses of neighbourhood change are often subject to compromises around the size of spatial units and temporal inconsistencies in their boundaries (Martin et al 2002). These limitations are particularly significant in ethnic and racial studies, where spatial patterns, and alterations to them, may be highly localized (e.g., Reardon et al 2008;Östh et al 2015;Johnston et al 2016;Barros and Feitosa 2018;Catney 2018;Ellis et al 2018;Yao et al 2019;Lan et al 2020;Catney et al 2020). Administrative changes in the size and shape of spatial units (zones) used to report data from Censuses are implemented to respond to local-level population growth or decline.…”

Racing to Zipf's Law: Race and Metro Population Size 1910-2010

“…Scholars studying racial segregation have long appreciated the importance of scale to understanding residential segregation. Primarily, that appreciation has focused on problems of identifying the local neighborhood and of incorporating spatial dependence into measures of residential segregation (Barros and Feitosa, 2018;Dean et al, 2019;Kramer, 2017Kramer, , 2018Lee et al, 2008;Wong, 1993). We advance an alternative methodological appreciation for the scale of residential segregation -instead of focusing on the level of segregation between neighborhoods within a metro area, we focus on segregation across metro areas.…”