Spatial Segregation of Ethnic Minorities in German Cities

Abstract

This paper aims to describe the spatial segregation of ethnic minorities in some West German metropolises in which the proportion of foreign inhabitants to the total population is very high, and to explain it by referring to housing conditions. Although some scholars stress the similarity of intra-city distribution of ethnic minorities among West German cities, the degree of spatial segregation differs markedly from city to city. It is more severe in Duisburg and Berlin (West) than in Munich and Stuttgart. the proportion of Turks to the foreign inhabitants is higher in the former cities than in the latter. the situation in Cologne is intermediate between these two types, although the proportion of Turks in this city is as high as in Berlin (West). in order to explain the difference, it is more appropriate to adopt a structural approach than an approach emphasizing the choice of individuals of ethnic minorities. There are researchers who attach greater importance to the structural factor, but they do not adequately consider the role of charitable and co-operative housing corporations (gemeinniitziges Wohnungsunternehmen) and the significance of publicly assisted dwellings (Offentlich gefdrderte Wohnungen=Sozial-wohnungen) in the congregating process of ethnic minorities. I shed light on these factors and explain the difference with special reference to Duisburg and Munich. As a result, it is proved that discrimination does not always bring about the strong congregation of an ethnic minority in a specific area in a city. © 1993, The Association of Japanese Geographers. All rights reserved.