Unequal networks: Spatial segregation, relationships and inequality in the city

Does the neighbourhood in which people live matter for the resourcefulness of their personal network and thus for their opportunities in life? Do residents of a multi-ethnic ‘problem’ area maintain fewer relationships with fellow-residents compared to residents of a homogeneous problem-free neighbourhood? And do ‘diversity-seekers’ who choose to...

Martin Sanchez-Jankowski: Cracks in the pavement: Social change and resilience in poor neighborhoods

Unpacking neighbourhood effects on social capital: The different ways in which neighbourhood matters for maintaining and expanding networks

This paper examines whether and how neighbourhood composition is connected to, and has impact on relationships and social capital. Three debates in urban sociology engage with this question: studies on poverty neighbourhoods, on gentrification and on gated communities. These debates reveal that in order to understand how spatial segregation...

We are all ordinary people: Perceptions of class and class differences in personal relationships

This paper examines people’s perceptions of class and class differences—in general and with regard to personal relationships. Data from an original survey on personal networks (n=195) shows that most people think they are middle class, although many lower class respondents classify themselves as working class. In addition, according to...