Routledge Residential Segregation in Comparative Perspective: Making Sense of Contextual Diversity (Cities and Society)

We know very little about variations in urban class and ethnic segregation among nations and even less about differences among cities in different regions of the world. Spatial organization (places and neighbourhoods) matters significantly in some cities in reproducing class relations and ethno-racial hierarchies, but may be much less important in others. The degree and the impact of segregation depend upon contextual diversity. By emphasizing the importance of contextual diversity in the study of urban residential segregation, the book questions currently popular urban theories such as global city, neoliberal urbanism, and gentrification. These theories tend to dissociate cities from their national and regional context and thus ignore their history, culture, politics and institutions. The aim of this book is to introduce the significantly different urban experiences in social and spatial segregation patterns and rationales which exist among the world's regions and to demonstrate that urban theory needs to draw systematically upon this wide range of experiences. The cities selected (Athens, Beijing, Budapest, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Madrid, Paris, São Paulo, Taipei, and Tokyo) were chosen in order to achieve geographical spread, to maximise the diversity of types of socioeconomic regulation.This volume is thus able to avoid the interpretative limitations and misconstructions resulting from universalizing the Anglo-American experience. Review 'This set of city-case-studies across the globe - ranging from Tokyo to São Paolo, from Beijing to Istanbul - confronts different patterns and levels of inequality and segregation with different state and other contexts. Due to this focus it is a "must read" for all aiming at a fuller understanding of segregation. Through their colourful selections the authors convincingly show that context matters. They fill a gap in the literature.' Sako Musterd, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands 'Residential segregation is common to all cities but the nature, form and scale varies between cities and societies depending on economic and political structure, class and ethnic composition and level of development. With its wide range of case studies this valuable book breaks out of the assumptions of traditional Anglo-American contexts. It will be a "must read" for anyone interested in residential segregation and its variations worldwide.' Chris Hamnett, King's College London, UK 'This is a good book and it makes a place for itself in the segregation literature through the inclusion of case studies from a diverse and different set of places and international contexts.' Environment and Planning A '... this is a valuable book including case studies from a diverse and different set of places and international contexts. It makes a place for itself in the segregation literature through breaking out of the assumptions of a traditional Anglo-American context. Due to its contextual diversity, it will be a ’must read’ for researchers, students and policymakers aiming at a more systematic understanding of segregation and its variations worldwide. I would also strongly recommend this book to anyone with any sort of interest in residential segregation.' Urban Studies About the Author Thomas Maloutas, Harokopio University and National Centre for Social Research, Athens, Greece. Kuniko Fujita, Michigan State University, USA.