Changing Segregation EQ3 Flashcards
(32 cards)
What are the impacts of migration on UK places?
-Migration increases population density and unevenly distributes people, often concentrating in urban areas. It raises fertility rates in areas with younger migrant populations and alters the local age structure
-Migrants often fill low-paid, low-skilled jobs in sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and social care. While this helps local economies, migrants are sometimes exploited or trapped in poor housing and employment.
-Migration can shift local and national politics. It may provoke anti-immigration sentiment and influence voting behaviour, especially in areas struggling with service provision or housing
-While migration enhances cultural diversity—introducing new languages, foods, and festivals—it may also lead to ethnic segregation, pressure on public services, and inter-community tension
What is an enclave?
An enclave is a group of people surrounded by a group or groups of entirely different people. It is evidence of ethnic segregation.
Why do ethnic enclaves occur in cities?
-Migrants often settle near family or others from the same background for safety and support. Enclaves form due to shared culture, religion, and language
Pull factors include:
-Familiar food, shops, and places of worship
-Support networks for employment and housing
-Access to services in their native language
-A sense of security in numbers, especially after facing discrimination
Over time, these areas grow into large, culturally distinct communities
What are the two main theories explaining segregation in UK cities?
1)External factors theory – Segregation happens because migrants are forced into cheap, low-quality housing, often in areas already populated by minorities. Discrimination in housing and job markets reinforces this.
2)Internal preference theory – Segregation is partly voluntary. Migrants choose to live near those from similar backgrounds for cultural familiarity, safety, and a stronger community identity.
-In reality, segregation is often the result of a mix of both.
What are examples of ethnic segregation in London?
-Russian oligarchs: Form elite enclaves in places like Knightsbridge, creating hyper-segregated, wealth-based communities.
-Southall: A hub for South Asian migrants, with temples, gurdwaras, and Indian-run businesses creating a cultural zone.
-Greek Cypriots: Cluster in North West London (e.g. Southgate), maintaining traditions and language across generations.
-Why London? It’s close to Europe, has a large job market, affordable housing (in some boroughs), and strong migrant networks for support and opportunity.
Where do Russian oligarchs live in London and why?
-Russian oligarchs tend to live in exclusive, high-security neighbourhoods like Knightsbridge, Kensington, Belgravia, and Hampstead
-These areas offer proximity to financial services, luxury amenities, elite schools, and embassies. Properties like One Hyde Park are popular due to privacy, security, and investment potential
-The choice to live in self-contained, elite areas is a form of deliberate segregation
What are the economic characteristics of areas with Russian oligarchs ?
-These areas rank among the most expensive in the UK, with average property prices reaching tens of millions
-High employment in finance and real estate, excellent health access, low crime rates (due to private security), and outstanding education (private schools and international schools).
-However, this wealth inflow has distorted the local housing market, pricing out average Londoners
How do the social characteristics of Russian oligarch areas reflect ethnicity and culture?
-Russian-speaking shops, Orthodox churches, and private members’ clubs reflect the community’s elite Russian identity
-However, integration is limited. These communities often form closed networks, socialising primarily within their own circles. -Public cultural engagement is minimal compared to other migrant groups
How do Russian oligarchs perceive London?
-London is seen as a “safe haven” to store wealth through property. Especially after 2014 sanctions, many bought homes to protect assets
-The city offers political stability, legal protections, and minimal scrutiny compared to Russia
-For many oligarchs, London isn’t just a home but a financial strategy.
Where do Greek Cypriots live in London and why?
-Greek Cypriots are mainly concentrated in North West and North London, especially Southgate, Palmers Green, Bounds Green, and parts of Enfield
-This pattern developed from post-WWII migration, where many arrived as workers and settled near others from Cyprus
-Family reunification, Greek Orthodox churches, and Greek-speaking schools reinforced the cluster
What are the economic characteristics of Greek enclave areas?
-These are mixed-income suburban areas. Early generations often worked in skilled trades (e.g. tailoring, building), running small businesses or shops. Over time, many Greek Cypriots achieved upward mobility
-Home ownership is high, and many second or third-generation Cypriots are now employed in professional or white-collar roles, reflecting economic assimilation
How do the social characteristics of Greek enclaves reflect ethnicity and culture?
The area hosts Greek Orthodox churches, Cypriot cafes, community centres, and bilingual Greek schools. Street signs and shop names often appear in both English and Greek. Greek festivals (like Orthodox Easter) are celebrated publicly.
-These cultural features maintain ethnic identity but also foster inclusion within London’s multicultural context.
How do Greek Cypriots perceive their place in London?
-Many perceive their communities as safe, supportive, and familiar. There is a strong sense of belonging, especially for older generations
-For younger Cypriots, the area is both a family base and a springboard for integration
-This reflects a hybrid identity: culturally Greek, but economically and socially British.
Where is Southall and who lives there?
Southall is located in West London, within the Borough of Ealing. It is one of the most prominent South Asian enclaves in the UK
-The population is predominantly Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi, with particularly strong Sikh and Muslim communities
-The area is known for its high levels of ethnic diversity, with over 76% of the population identifying as non-White in some wards
Why did Southall develop as a South Asian enclave?
-Chain migration: Large numbers of Indian and East African Asians settled there in the 1950s–70s, joining friends or family.
-Employment opportunities: Proximity to Heathrow Airport provided jobs in logistics and cleaning, attracting many early migrants
-In the 1980s, many white British residents moved away as the ethnic composition of the area changed.
-Cheaper terraced housing stock made it accessible for new arrivals, reinforcing the enclave structure
What are the cultural and religious characteristics of Southall?
-Southall has a strong South Asian identity. The high street features Indian-owned shops selling saris, jewellery, spices, and street food.
-It is home to the largest Sikh gurdwara outside India, as well as mosques and Hindu temples.
-Cultural festivals such as Vaisakhi, Eid, and Diwali are celebrated publicly and draw large crowds.
-Punjabi and Urdu are widely spoken alongside English in homes, schools, and public spaces
What are the positive social outcomes of Southall’s ethnic clustering?
-Strong cultural identity: The presence of cultural landmarks like the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Indian food markets, and South Asian fashion stores helps reinforce pride in heritage. Southall is often referred to as “Little India,” reflecting how embedded cultural identity is in the landscape
-High intergenerational support: Multi-generational households are common, providing care for the elderly, shared financial responsibility, and cultural continuity. This structure fosters resilience during economic hardship and enables children to grow up with strong cultural values.
-Low crime and strong community cohesion: Many residents report feeling safe due to close community ties, where neighbours know one another and share similar traditions, religions, and lifestyles. Informal social control and religious teachings help maintain order.
-Ethnic entrepreneurship: South Asian businesses dominate the high street – from cash-and-carry stores to bridal shops and restaurants – creating jobs and circulating money within the community. Cultural familiarity in business interactions supports inclusion and economic independence
What are the negative social outcomes of Southall’s ethnic clustering?
-Language barriers: Older first-generation migrants, particularly women, often have limited English proficiency. This can limit access to healthcare, benefits, or local participation, increasing dependence on younger relatives or translators.
-Generational tensions: Younger South Asians, often UK-born, may adopt Western values that differ from traditional expectations around gender roles, career choices, or marriage. This can create identity conflict and family pressure, particularly for women.
-Social exclusion and insularity: Although Southall is vibrant, its cultural distinctiveness sometimes leads to spatial and social separation. Outsiders may view the area as closed-off or ‘not truly British’, which can reinforce stereotypes and limit cross-community interaction.
-School and housing pressure: Local schools often serve students from multilingual households, requiring additional language support. Overcrowding in homes is also common, especially among lower-income families
Who are asylum seekers?
People fleeing persecution (war, political repression, discrimination) and applying for refugee status
Why do asylum seekers cluster?
-Under the UK’s dispersal policy, asylum seekers are not allowed to choose where they live. Instead, the Home Office places them in cheaper, often post-industrial towns and cities such as Glasgow, Middlesbrough, Hull, and Manchester.
-Housing contracts are managed by private firms (e.g. Serco, Mears Group) that prioritise affordability and availability, often in areas already experiencing deprivation.
-Asylum seekers receive limited financial support (approx. £6.77/day per person) and cannot work while waiting for their claims to be processed, which can take months or years
What are challenges faced by asylum seekers?
-Language barriers prevent easy access to legal advice, education, healthcare, and integration into local communities
-Mental health problems such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common due to trauma, isolation, and prolonged uncertainty about their legal status
-Many are housed in run-down, overcrowded accommodation, sometimes with no heating or basic sanitation. This deepens their sense of exclusion and reduces quality of life
-Children may struggle to access schools or receive appropriate support for learning English and adapting socially
-Cultural isolation occurs when asylum seekers are placed far from others who share their background, limiting emotional support and community belonging
-In Knowsley (Merseyside) in 2023, anti-migrant protests outside a hotel housing asylum seekers turned violent, fuelled by misinformation, economic insecurity, and far-right mobilisation.
