Spatial Integration of Immigrants in Nordic Cities: The Relevance of Spatial Assimilation Theory in a Welfare State Context

An important backdrop is the “Nordic model of welfare”: We assume that welfare generosity decreases the speed of spatial integration. The study uses non-Western immigrants as a target group and natives as a reference group. The results show, in all cities, a lack of aggregate upward mobility in the spatial hierarchy. Deviant outcomes, particularly in Helsinki, are explained by immigration history and housing market structure.

Authors: Wessel, Andersson, Kauppinen, Skifter Andersen