Cities and Socio-Economic Segregation over the Long Run, 1880–2017
Summary
In this project we aim to analyze how socio-economic segregation has evolved in a number of Swedish cities over 140 years. By focusing on cities with diverse sizes, economic structures, and historical contexts, we intend to gain a deeper understanding of how urbanization, transportation technology, and urban planning have influenced segregation patterns over time. To achieve this, we combine historical maps, census data, and contemporary geocoded population registers, enabling us to trace the spatial distribution of individuals and households with a high degree of accuracy.
Principal investigator: Jakob Molinder
We are creating a unique dataset with a 100x100 meter grid spatial resolution, allowing for a detailed analysis of socio-economic segregation at both neighborhood and individual levels. This dataset will help us explore key research questions related to the impacts of public transportation, different urban planning regimes, and residential mobility patterns. By examining these dynamics, we aim to uncover how transportation networks and planning policies have shaped urban inequalities and contributed to changes in the socio-economic fabric of these cities over time.
Through this project, we are undertaking one of the first efforts to cover such a long historical period while using microdata at such fine spatial detail. Our goal is to provide new insights into how transportation and urban planning have influenced segregation across generations. These findings will contribute to ongoing discussions about urban inequality, offering valuable knowledge for policymakers, urban planners, and researchers working to address socio-economic disparities in cities today.
Participating researchers:
- Jakob Molinder (Principal investigator)
- Martin Önnerfors
- Linnea Stevander
Funding:
The project is currently funded by the Swedish Reserach Council with a reserach grant of 4,682,000 SEK.