Quantifying ethnic segregation in cities through random walks

Sousa, Sandro; Nicosia, Vincenzo

doi:10.1038/s41467-022-33344-3

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 49 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…To address these issues, Ballester and Vorsatz 28 introduced a random-walk based approach, utilising an eigenvector-based centrality measure to estimate the likelihood of inter-group encounters. Further building on random-walk methods, Sousa and Nicosia 29 proposed non-parametric measures that use random walk trajectories to quantify segregation, accounting for the diversity of urban systems through a null model. Although these graph-theoretic approaches provide a natural way to capture the dimensions of residential segregation, their application has been limited to arbitrary definitions of areal units in which different groups reside.…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban segregation on multilayered transport networks: a random walk approach

Neira,

Molinero,

Marshall

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We present a novel method for analysing socio-spatial segregation in cities by considering constraints imposed by transportation networks. Using a multilayered network approach, we model the interaction probabilities of socio-economic groups with random walks and Lévy flights. This method allows for evaluation of new transport infrastructure’s impact on segregation while quantifying each network’s contribution to interaction opportunities. The proposed random walk segregation index measures the probability of individuals encountering diverse social groups based on their available means of transit via random walks. The index incorporates temporal constraints in urban mobility with a parameter, $$\alpha \in [0,1)$$ α ∈ [ 0 , 1 ) , of the probability of the random walk continuing at each time step. By applying this to a toy model and conducting a sensitivity analysis, we explore how the index changes dependent on this temporal constraint. When the parameter equals zero, the measure simplifies to an isolation index. When the parameter approaches one it represents the city’s overall socio-economic distribution by mirroring the steady-state of the random walk process. Using Cuenca, Ecuador as a case study, we illustrate the method’s applicability in transportation planning as a valuable tool for policymakers, addressing spatial distribution of socio-economic groups and the connectivity of existing transport networks, thus promoting equitable interactions throughout the city.

show abstract

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban segregation on multilayered transport networks: a random walk approach

Neira,

Molinero,

Marshall

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Amsterdam Environment To model the real-life environment of Amsterdam, we create a graph where census tracts are converted to nodes, which are connected with their neighboring tracts via an unweighted edge. This graph structure has recently been used to quantify segregation because it provides a scale-free and generalizable method [13]. In total, the graph consists of n v = 517 nodes and n e = 1611 edges.…”

Section: Sbm Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards Reducing School Segregation by Intervening on Transportation Networks

Michailidis,

Tasnim,

Ghebreab

et al. 2024

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Urban segregation is a complex phenomenon associated with different forms of social inequality. Segregation is reflected in parents' school preferences, especially in context of free school choice modes. Studies have shown that parents consider both distance and demographic composition when selecting schools for their children, potentially exacerbating levels of residential segregation. This raises the question of how intervening on transit networks -thereby affecting school accessibility to citizens belonging to different groups -can alleviate spatial segregation. In this work-in-progress paper, we propose a new agent-based model to explore this question. Conducting experiments in synthetic and real-life scenarios, we show that improving access to schools via transport network interventions can lead to a reduction in school segregation over time. The mathematical framework we propose provides the basis to simulate, in the future, how the dynamics of citizens preferences, school capacity and public transportation availability might contribute to patterns of residential segregation.

show abstract

“…Spatial agent-based models are typically designed for grid-like environments, assuming structured connections between areas [2,7]. However, social phenomena involving movement and transportation interventions can benefit from integrating network science methods [35,36]. To achieve this, agents' environments are modeled as heterogeneous networks, providing a more realistic representation of physical space and, in this case, transportation networks.…”

Section: The Role Of Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To model the real-world environment of Amsterdam, we create a graph where census tracts are converted to nodes, which are connected with their neighbouring tracts via an (1) p in = p base + m p out = p base − m unweighted edge. This graph structure has recently been used to quantify segregation and community structure on graphs because it offers the possibility to define methods (based on random walks) of that are independent of cities' scale and structure [36,54]. In total, the graph consists of n v = 517 nodes and n e = 1611 edges.…”

Section: Amsterdam Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tackling school segregation with transportation network interventions: an agent-based modelling approach

Michailidis,

Tasnim,

Ghebreab

et al. 2024

Auton Agent Multi-Agent Syst

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We address the emerging challenge of school segregation within the context of free school choice systems. Households take into account both proximity and demographic composition when deciding on which schools to send their children to, potentially exacerbating residential segregation. This raises an important question: can we strategically intervene in transportation networks to enhance school access and mitigate segregation? In this paper, we propose a novel, network agent-based model to explore this question. Through simulations in both synthetic and real-world networks, we demonstrate that enhancing school accessibility via transportation network interventions can lead to a reduction in school segregation, under specific conditions. We introduce group-based network centrality measures and show that increasing the centrality of certain neighborhood nodes with respect to a transportation network can be an effective strategy for strategic interventions. We conduct experiments in two synthetic network environments, as well as in an environment based on real-world data from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In both cases, we simulate a population of representative agents emulating real citizens’ schooling preferences, and we assume that agents belong to two different groups (e.g., based on migration background). We show that, under specific homophily regimes in the population, school segregation can be reduced by up to 35%. Our proposed framework provides the foundation to explore how citizens’ preferences, school capacity, and public transportation can shape patterns of urban segregation.

show abstract

Quantifying ethnic segregation in cities through random walks

Cited by 13 publications

References 49 publications

Urban segregation on multilayered transport networks: a random walk approach

Urban segregation on multilayered transport networks: a random walk approach

Towards Reducing School Segregation by Intervening on Transportation Networks

Tackling school segregation with transportation network interventions: an agent-based modelling approach

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About