Residential inequality in Sweden: A conceptual distinction

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Abstract
This article focuses on two concepts that have been used to study the living conditions of different social groups in Sweden, “residential segregation” and “housing market segmentation”. Distinctions between the two concepts are made in reference to four areas. Although the relation of the groups in question to a basic social inequality is a point of contention in the tradition of residential segregation, when it comes to housing market segmentation the literature more clearly points to a basic inequality in society. Both concepts imply a certain physical hierarchy associated with the residential living of specific social groups. In reference to both concepts one can point to additional attributes that make one or more residential areas or particular form of tenure more advantageous or attractive than others. Finally in reference to residential segregation one would generally assume that the extra benefits from living in a higher quality area would cost more. A similar assumption, however, cannot be made using the concept of housing market segmentation. The attempt to highlight questions of housing tenure by considering them under a separate concept has clear merits. The next step is to explore how these two phenomena, in some circumstances, interact with each other.

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