Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
13:48
Design and Construction of an Urban Runoff Research Facility
Published on: August 8, 2014
Density zoning and class segregation in U.S. metropolitan areas
Jonathan T Rothwell1, Douglas S Massey
1The Brookings Institution.
Social Science Quarterly
|December 2, 2010
Summary
Restrictive zoning laws significantly increase income segregation in U.S. cities. This density zoning limits housing construction, exacerbating socioeconomic and racial inequalities.
Area of Science:
- Urban Planning and Sociology
- Housing Policy and Economics
Background:
- Socioeconomic segregation in U.S. cities increased significantly in the late 20th century.
- Zoning regulations are hypothesized as a key driver of this rising segregation.
Observation:
- Neighborhood economic segregation was measured using the Gini coefficient and the poor-affluent exposure index.
- An index of density zoning was developed for 50 U.S. metropolitan areas.
Findings:
- Density zoning strongly correlates with increased income segregation, with causal evidence suggesting zoning is a primary cause.
- Zoning regulations are also linked to higher inequality between jurisdictions within metropolitan areas.
Implications:
- Metropolitan areas with restrictive density zoning exhibit higher income segregation.
- This zoning practice perpetuates and worsens existing racial and class inequalities in the U.S.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Segregation in Fresh Concrete
Segregation in fresh concrete is a phenomenon where the components of the concrete mix separate, leading to uneven distribution and compromised structural integrity. This separation typically occurs when concrete is subjected to excessive horizontal movement within forms, or when it is dropped from considerable heights or forced through narrow, winding paths. As a result, heavier coarse aggregate particles settle at the bottom, while lighter, finer materials such as cement and water rise to the...
01:23Types of Building Separation Joints
Building separation joints divide large or complex building structures into smaller, discrete units that can move independently. These joints are categorized into three types: volume-change joints, settlement joints, and seismic separation joints.
Volume-change joints address the effects of expansion and contraction due to temperature and moisture variations. They are strategically placed at discontinuities in a building's mass where cracking is most likely and are spaced about 150 to 200 feet...
Volume-change joints address the effects of expansion and contraction due to temperature and moisture variations. They are strategically placed at discontinuities in a building's mass where cracking is most likely and are spaced about 150 to 200 feet...
02:29Hybrid Zones
Hybrid zones are narrow regions where two closely related species interact, mate, and produce hybrids. Relative to either parent species, hybrids may possess distinct phenotypic or genetic differences that impact their survival and reproductive success. The genetic variances introduced by hybridization influence species diversity and speciation processes within the hybrid zone.Gene flow and natural selection are evolutionary mechanisms that shape the outcome of a hybrid zone. Gene flow...
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Humans are very diverse and although we share many similarities, we also have many differences. The social groups we belong to help form our identities (Tajfel, 1974). These differences may be difficult for some people to reconcile, which may lead to prejudice toward people who are different. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on one’s membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954; Brown, 2010). Prejudice is common against people who are...
01:30Thematic Layering in GIS
In the past, planning projects such as schools or public facilities required extensive manual effort to gather and compile data. Information such as property boundaries, soil characteristics, road networks, zoning regulations, and flood zones had to be sourced individually from courthouses, utility providers, and registry offices. Assembling these datasets into a coherent format often took several months, delaying project timelines.The introduction of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)...
01:25Selected Data About Geographic Locations
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) rely on two core types of data: spatial data and attribute data.Spatial DataSpatial data defines the physical location of features within a coordinate system, typically expressed in terms of latitude and longitude. It provides precise positioning for elements like roads, rivers, or buildings.Attribute DataAttribute data complements spatial data by adding descriptive information about these features. For example, a road's spatial data includes its start and...