Segregation policies in Sweden & Italy

Abstract: European cities have always been characterised by a differentiated social topography. As a result of their location, history, urban structure and housing stock a city’s neighbourhoods are shaped by quite different social milieus. Many of them have a broad mixture of inhabitants others appear quite homogeneous, especially the neighbourhoods of the rich. This is normally seen as a reflection of the varied living conditions. However, the spatial concentration of poverty is considered a lack of social cohesion and results in serious disadvantages for the inhabitants and the city as a whole. Most of the time the focus is on poor residential areas and on areas with a large ethnic minority population. Frequently in Europe, segregation is regarded as a political issue only when it is associated with deprivation (S. Musterd & M. De Winter, 1998 p: 666). The aim of the research is to analyse the way two European Countries (Sweden and Italy) perceive and are approaching the issue of segregation.