Explanations for Special Neighbourhood Preferences among Ethnic Minorities

Abstract

In this paper is examined if preferences exist among ethnic minorities for living close to an ethnic social network, in so-called ethnic enclaves, or living in neighbourhoods with many residents belonging to different ethnic minorities. It is analysed to what extent these preferences can be explained either by their social integration, their ethnic background, their resources or by the strength of their feelings of belonging to their country of origin as described by the concept of diaspora. It is also examined if such preferences affect actual moves into such neighbourhoods. The results show that differences in social integration and resources constitute the most important factors explaining preferences, while differences across ethnic minority groups in Denmark almost disappear when controlling for these variables. But for a few ethnic groups, differences persist that cannot be explained by other variables.

Key words:

• Immigrants’ residential preferences
• Ethnic enclaves
• Multi-ethnic neighbourhoods

Acknowledgement

This article was developed as a part of the NODES project (Nordic welfare states and the dynamics and effects of ethnic residential segregation http://blogs.helsinki.fi/nodesproject/).

Additional information

Funding

This project was financed by NORFACE (New Opportunities for Research Funding Agency Co-operation in Europe).