Dimensions of social segregation

Spatial segregation is defined as inequality in the spatial distribution of social groups in a residential area. It can be measured in relation to various dimensions such as evenness, exposure, concentration, clustering and centralization (Massey & Denton, 1988). There is a distinction between different types of segregation indices:

• onegroup indices: measure the segregation of a group compared to all population
• intergroups indices: compare the distribution of a social group with another group
• multigroups indices: evaluate a global segregation level
• local indices: measure the segregation intensity variation in space

Eveness

Eveness refers to the differential distribution of social groups among spatial units in the residential area.

Exposure

Exposure refers to the potential interaction between members of the same group (intragroup indices) or of different groups (intergroup indices)

Concentration

Concentration refers to the physical space occupied by social groups in the area.

Clustering

Clustering refers to the degree to which a group members live disproportionately in contiguous areas

Centralisation

Centranlisation refers to the degree to which a group is located near the center of an residential area

Reference: Massey D. S. and Denton N. A. (1988) ' The dimensions of residential segregation'. Social Forces 67(2), pp. 281-315.