Residential segregation in Southern European urban areas: Unravelling neighborhood effects and ethnic disparities in the city of Catania (Italy)

Abstract

This study examines the dynamics of residential segregation in Catania, a prominent urban centre in Southern Italy, between 2011 and 2021. Using Theil’s entropy-based H index and Shapley decomposition, segregation trends are analyzed at both micro and macro spatial levels, using two classifications: municipal districts and Urban-to-Extra-Urban (UEU) zones. The results reveal a duality in segregation processes, with micro-spatial level desegregation for all population sub-groups, offset by macro-spatial level clustering of migrant populations, especially, of Bangladeshis and Sri Lankans. In shaping these patterns, the study highlights the pivotal role of Italians’ resettlement in the spatial clustering of migrant populations. By distinguishing subpopulation-specific contributions to segregation changes, the findings underscore the importance of targeted urban policies, including affordable housing and improved infrastructure, to mitigate segregation. This research advances understanding of spatial assimilation and stratification dynamics, offering actionable insights for policymakers and urban planners. Future research should apply the proposed method to other cities to develop a comparative framework to address socio-spatial inequalities in Southern Europe.