Impacts and consequences of residential segregation of Roma in urban spaces: Case studies from Hungary

• Main Authors: Jenö Zsolt Farkas, Jozsef Lennert, Andras Donat Kovacs, Imre Kanalas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Urbanistični inštitut RS 2017-12-01
• Series: Urbani Izziv
• Subjects: residential segregation; medium-sized and small towns in post-communist countries; Roma ethnic minority; urban development
• Online Access: http://urbani-izziv.uirs.si/Portals/uizziv/papers/urbani-izziv-en-2017-28-02-005.pdf

This article explores residential segregation and its characteristics in medium-sized and small towns in the Southern Great Plain statistical region of Hungary. The study highlights the main features and driving forces of segregation connected to post-communist urban development. We are approaching this from the perspective of the following questions: How are segregation processes connected to ethnic issues and living conditions? What can the local government do to solve this problem? The article concludes that residential segregation is a frequent phenomenon in Hungarian agro-towns. These processes share some similarities but also differ to some degree from western European or US examples. The results emphasise the importance of complex thinking about social integration, local planning and more effective financial allocation.