Income Segregation in Monocentric and Polycentric Cities: Does Urban Form Really Matter?

IEB Working Paper N. 2018/17

45 Pages Posted: 8 Nov 2018

See all articles by Miquel-Àngel Garcia-López

Miquel-Àngel Garcia-López

Autonomous University of Barcelona; University of Barcelona - Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB)

Ana I. Moreno-Monroy

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)

Date Written: October 16, 2018

Abstract

We estimate the effect of urban spatial structure on income segregation in Brazilian cities between 2000 and 2010. Our results show that, first, local density conditions increase income segregation: the effect is higher in monocentric cities and smaller in polycentric ones. Second, the degree of monocentricity-polycentricity also affects segregation: while a higher concentration of jobs in and around the CBD decreases segregation in monocentric cities, a higher employment concentration in and around subcenters located far from the CBD decreases segregation in polycentric cities. Third, results are heterogeneous according to city size: local density does not increase segregation in small (monocentric) cities, it increases segregation in medium size cities, and it decreases segregation in large (polycentric) cities. Finally, results also differ between income groups: while local density conditions increase the segregation of the poor, a more polycentric configuration reduces the segregation of the rich.

Suggested Citation

Garcia-López, Miquel-Àngel and Moreno-Monroy, Ana I., Income Segregation in Monocentric and Polycentric Cities: Does Urban Form Really Matter? (October 16, 2018). IEB Working Paper N. 2018/17, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3267462 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3267462

Miquel-Àngel Garcia-López (Contact Author)

Autonomous University of Barcelona ( email )

Plaça Cívica
Cerdañola del Valles
Barcelona, Barcelona 08193
Spain

University of Barcelona - Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB) ( email )

Barcelona

Ana I. Moreno-Monroy

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) ( email )

2 rue Andre Pascal
Paris Cedex 16, 75775
France

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