Segregation in the urban regions of Upper Austria
Large cities, metropolises, and capitals have traditionally been the focus of segregation research (Musterd 2020), while the analysis of socio-spatial imbalances in the context of small and medium-sized towns only plays a comparatively minor role. However, a number of existing studies reveal that small and medium-sized towns are likewise characterised by a considerable degree of residential segregation (Helbig and Jähnen 2018). Segregation in small and medium-sized towns represent a relevant research gap in the literature (Schmidt-Lauber 2010), with the absence of small-scale data being cited as the main reason for this lack of research. This is particularly problematic as segregation trends in small and medium-sized towns are primarily relevant within neighbourhoods and districts.
This study aims to analyse the extent and dynamics of social and ethnic segregation in small and medium-sized cities between 2014 and 2023. We will examine the effects of different factors (such as location, the housing-market segment, or the regional labour-market structure) on social and ethnic segregation in Upper-Austrian urban regions, focusing on core cities. The following research questions will be answered:
Research question 1: What are the extent and dynamics of residential segregation in cities at the micro level?
Research question 2: Where can geostatistical analyses be used to identify hotspots and coolspots of residential segregation?
Research question 3: What is the effect of “places of arrival” on residential segregation?
Research question 4: Which factors influence the extent and dynamics of residential segregation?
September 2024 – August 2025
Federal Chancellery, Vienna
