The Curious Case of the Mis-claimed Myth Claims: Ethnic Segregation, Polarisation and the Future of Bradford

Abstract

The claims made by a number of authors about the mythical status of ethnic residential segregation in the Bradford District are shown to be untenable. There is clear evidence of segregation, self-segregation and increasing levels of segregation in the Bradford context. These social patterns give rise to concerns about the possibility of cultural and political polarisation, and accompanying social conflict, between population groups with differing racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. An open and inclusive dialogue about a shared future would help to avoid any danger of this possibility materialising.

Business Start-Up and Growth Motives of Entrepreneurs: A Case in Bradford, United Kingdom

“…The city of Bradford is the fifth largest city in England in terms of population (approximately half a million) (Carling 2008). During the past two decades this region has endured declining traditional industries and substantial job losses mainly in coal mining, steel, engineering and textiles (GOYH 2007).…”

The Myth of Failed Integration: The Case of Eastern Oslo

“…Instead of identifying with the larger British or Norwegian society they (will) attack it. Although Carling () can be said to give at least some scholarly support to these claims, his representation and analysis of Bradford have been seriously challenged (Finney and Simpson ; Flint and Robinson, ; Simpson et al. ).…”

“…Instead of identifying with the larger British or Norwegian society they (will) attack it. Although Carling (2008) can be said to give at least some scholarly support to these claims, his representation and analysis of Bradford have been seriously challenged (Finney and Simpson 2009;Flint and Robinson, 2008;Simpson et al 2009). In our view, there is little evidence for the stories the Norwegian politicians claim are true representations of Bradford's reality.…”

Infant Mortality and Migrant Health in Babies of Pakistani Origin Born in Bradford, UK

“…That is, it may further the argument that it is the difference between poorest and richest that is important as well as the absolute deprivation of the poorest ). Further, the relative insularity of a densely located Pakistani population, concentrated in a few areas of the city, supported in part by its own infrastructure, speaking its own language and at times feeling beleaguered by a perceived hostility from outside will be damaging to those aspects of social capital that allow it to 'bridge' with the wider community (Burgess et al 2005, Cantle 2005, Carling 2008). The impact of ethnic density has received attention in the literature.…”