Focusing on the Haredi Jewish community, this research explores the intricate dynamics of residential segregation within various sects. It investigates how communal identity influences spatial organization and highlights the mechanisms driving neighborhood change. The study delves into the interactions among individuals, community leadership, and governmental policies, assessing their roles in shaping residential patterns. By analyzing four British communities—Litvish and Hassidic—this book sheds light on broader urban processes affecting diverse populations in city centers.
The research explores how minority housing strategies influence densely populated urban areas, focusing on the interactions among different groups as space becomes limited. It posits that these dynamics lead individuals to optimize resource use, creating advantages and fostering a sense of security and community. The study highlights the importance of the built environment in shaping social connections and enhancing the well-being of minority populations in urban settings.
This book examines the reflection of non-economic inter- and intra-group relationships in residential patterns in Whitechapel, an appealing neighborhood in east London, during the early 21st century. It explores various organizational levels that shape urban space, proposing an integrated understanding of socio-cultural-religious norms and their link to the urban environment, applicable to other cities. The study combines detailed primary empirical research from direct community engagement with a broader theoretical framework. It identifies key drivers of organized neighborhood change and the challenges of planning, focusing on individuals within the housing market and highlighting similar dynamics in other diverse city centers. Analyzing residential records over 17 years at the level of single families and apartments, the research uncovers significant mechanisms of residential relations at various levels. These mechanisms may explain the dynamics of residential segregation in Whitechapel from 1995 to 2012. The area's communities are notably diverse, comprising 27 ethnic and religious groups, with residential preferences heavily influenced by the desire to live among "friends" from the same group. This raises questions about the area's appeal despite the challenges in fulfilling the preference for communal living among similar individuals.
