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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Reduced Segregation

Reduced segregation is a measure of social inclusion and connection.1 People who live in segregated areas might not have the same opportunities for social interaction, which can result in feelings of loneliness and isolation. Additionally, segregation might make it challenging for people to get the assistance and support they require.2 Strategies to improve transportation infrastructure have resulted in the breakdown of barriers between groups of people by making it easier to connect and interact with others.3

This indicator helps determine the effectiveness of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Data Collection

Although it is difficult to quantify the extent and severity of segregation, examining census data is one possibility. The distribution of persons by race, ethnicity, and wealth may be obtained from the census. Surveys are another technique to gather data about segregation. People may be questioned in surveys about their encounters with discrimination and exclusion. Finally, interviews can be conducted to obtain data on the level of segregation. This information may be utilized to comprehend how segregation affects people’s daily lives.

Examples

Exploring the link between urban connectivity and social segregation

Studies show that planning with a connectivity focus has improved movement in underprivileged and segregated neighborhoods, which in turn has helped to regenerate those areas. However, a certain Swedish study demonstrated that the implementation method matters; while segregated neighborhoods benefit from increased connectivity, wealthier areas still benefit the most from it. This is because increased connectivity across the board continuously improves connectivity in already well-connected areas. As a result, when policies are implemented piecemeal, the trend of relative segregation continues. The study concludes that future investments should aim to balance more and less segregated regions and should be large enough to disrupt current segregation trends.

https://www.rics.org/uk/wbef/megatrends/urbanisation/exploring-the-link-between-urban-connectivity-and-social-segregation/

1. Echenique, F., Fryer Jr, R.G. A measure of segregation based on social interactions. The Quarterly Journal of Economics. 2007 May 1; 122(2):441-85. https://doi.org/10.1162/qjec.122.2.441
2. Dong, X., Morales, A.J., Jahani, E., Moro, E., Lepri, B., Bozkaya, B., Sarraute, C., Bar-Yam, Y., Pentland, A. Segregated interactions in urban and online space. EPJ Data Science. 2020 Dec 1; 9(1):20. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjds/s13688-020-00238-7
3. Musterd, S., Ostendorf, W. Social exclusion, segregation, and neighbourhood effects. Cities of Europe: Changing contexts, local arrangements and the challenge to urban cohesion. 2005 Jan 1; 170-89. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470694046.ch8