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Social Polarisation and Socioeconomic Segregation in a Welfare State: The Case of Oslo

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  • Terje Wessel

    (Terje Wessel is in the Department of Sociology and Human Geography, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1096 Blindern, N-0317 Oslo, Norway. Fax: 22 85 52 53. E-mail: terje.wessel@sgeo.uio.no)

Abstract

This paper looks at the competing theses of polarising convergence and policy-related divergence in the study of socioeconomic segregation. Using data from Oslo, Norway, it is shown that the level of segregation has remained fairly stable, or has even declined, in spite of increasing income inequality. This spatial stabilisation is causally related to a more flexible design in city planning and policy. It is, however, not a development in accordance with the welfare state approach proposed by Chris Hamnett and some other scholars. Rather, we observe a 'perverse' effect where social democracy has been helped by opposition policies. In consequence, the paper suggests the use of models of action and the identification of 'closed' and 'open' processes of change.

Suggested Citation

  • Terje Wessel, 2000. "Social Polarisation and Socioeconomic Segregation in a Welfare State: The Case of Oslo," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 37(11), pages 1947-1967, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:37:y:2000:i:11:p:1947-1967
    DOI: 10.1080/713707228
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chris Hamnett, 1994. "Social Polarisation in Global Cities: Theory and Evidence," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 31(3), pages 401-424, April.
    2. Chris Hamnett, 1996. "Social Polarisation, Economic Restructuring and Welfare State Regimes," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 33(8), pages 1407-1430, October.
    3. Frans M. Dieleman & Chris Hamnett, 1994. "Globalisation, Regulation and the Urban System: Editors' Introduction to the Special Issue," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 31(3), pages 357-364, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Martin Gornig & Jan Goebel, 2014. "Deindustrialization and Tertiarization and the Polarization of Household Incomes: The Example of German Agglomerations," ERSA conference papers ersa14p1172, European Regional Science Association.
    2. Gornig, Martin & Goebel, Jan, 2018. "Deindustrialisation and the polarisation of household incomes: The example of urban agglomerations in Germany," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 55(4), pages 790-806.
    3. Gerhard Hatz, 2009. "Features And Dynamics Of Socio‐Spatial Differentiation In Vienna And The Vienna Metropolitan Region," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 100(4), pages 485-501, September.
    4. Jon Erik Finnvold, 2019. "How Income Inequality and Immigrant Background Affect children’s Use of Mental Healthcare Services in Oslo, Norway," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(6), pages 1881-1896, December.
    5. M. Meli̇h Pinarcioğlu & Oğuz Işik, 2009. "Segregation In Istanbul: Patterns And Processes," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 100(4), pages 469-484, September.
    6. Shenjing He & Fulong Wu & Chris Webster & Yuting Liu, 2010. "Poverty Concentration and Determinants in China's Urban Low‐income Neighbourhoods and Social Groups," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(2), pages 328-349, June.
    7. Chris Hamnett, 2011. "Urban Social Polarization," Chapters, in: Ben Derudder & Michael Hoyler & Peter J. Taylor & Frank Witlox (ed.), International Handbook of Globalization and World Cities, chapter 32, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    8. Jørn Ljunggren & Patrick Lie Andersen, 2015. "Vertical and Horizontal Segregation: Spatial Class Divisions in Oslo, 1970–2003," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(2), pages 305-322, March.
    9. Fulong Wu & Chris Webster & Shenijing He & Yuting Liu, 2010. "Urban Poverty in China," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13189.

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