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Internal Migration Flows and Residential Segregation in Northern Ireland: Relations, Motivations and Geographical Variations Gemma Catney PhD Research Student Centre for Spatial Territorial Analysis and Research (C-STAR) School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology (GAP) Queen’s University, Belfast 3rd International Population Geographies Conference, Liverpool 2006 Residential Segregation in Northern Ireland Religious residential segregation in NI – media and academic research New academic research pointing towards residential segregation as either decreasing or staying the same However, large geographic variations, with some increases in segregation in particular areas, and persistence in others But why? Internal migration in Northern Ireland In-situ growth vs. migration Simpson (2004), in Urban Studies Migration – reinforcement, erosion, creation of residential segregation? How far is community background (area composition, etc.) important in migration decision-making? Under-explored and little understood Presentation outline Methodology Quantitative research • Migration rates • GWR Qualitative research • • • • Area selection Interviews and focus groups Cognitive mapping 2 case study areas Summary and conclusions Methodology QUANTITATIVE DATA SOURCES Migration rates Census of pop. of NI (2001) Geographically weighted regression (GWR) SI modelling Census grid square data (1971-2001) Residents (movers and non-movers) Key informants (community reps, property developers, etc.) Estate agents QUALITATIVE Semistructured interviews Focus groups Cognitive Mapping Participant observation Migration rates Inflow rate (per 1000 pop.) Outflow rate (per 1000 pop.) Migration by community background Catholic inflow over total inflow Catholic outflow over total outflow Geographically weighted regression (GWR) Catholic residential composition against Catholic inflow, as proportion of total inflow (12km bandwidth) Summary Community background potentially very significant Suggests reinforcement of residential segregation due to migration, in some places But, a complex picture… Qualitative research • Semi-structured interviews with: • • • Focus groups (and cognitive mapping exercise) with: residents of case study areas (movers and non-movers) Also, participant observation with estate agencies • • residents of case study areas (movers and non-movers) key informants – property developers, community representatives, etc. Area selection Interviewing in 6 case study areas as a basis for understanding case-specific and general processes and trends Areas controlled for by: Community background Socioeconomic class (including tenure) Location (inner city, middle city, suburban and nearrural) A ‘representative’ sample according to demographic composition of area Case study areas A transect approach South Belfast Incorporates 6 areas with aforementioned characteristics, plus wider processes: Suburbanisation and counterurbanisation Inner city residualisation Inner city gentrification Decentralisation of Protestant communities Possible life-course characteristics Transect: South Belfast Outline: Interviews General context 2 case study areas: • Middle city ‘mixed’ area • Inner city Protestant community General / ‘universal’ trends Area 1: Ballynafeigh Middle city, ‘mixed’ community 1990s – mixed, with a slight Protestant majority Present – mixed status under-threat, with an increasing Catholic majority and decreases in Protestants Predominantly middle class Becoming more affluent Development – apartment blocks (gentrifying) Area 1: Ballynafeigh Recruitment: Community facilitator and ‘For Sale’ & ‘To Let’ signs Recurring themes: • Reputation as a mixed community important – in-migration of couples in mixed marriages • Graduates from the two universities (and some current students) • Starter homes for middle classes • Familiarity – either student near by, grew up in area, personal contacts • Perception that it is becoming more Catholic due to recent in-migration Area 1: Ballynafeigh • Some ‘cashing in’ on rising house prices and selling up • Out-migration (actual and hypothetical) tends to be to suburbs and rural areas – growing families wanting more quiet settings, a garden, less desire to be so close to the city centre, etc. • Area choice tends to be: middle class mixed (community background) generally would not consider homogenous areas, but if would is always the ‘same side’ safety Area 2: Donegall Pass Inner city Protestant (Loyalist) area Predominantly working class ‘Typical’ of working class Protestant communities – under threat, with a loss of population Lack of suitable housing (social) Decline in services and amenities Gentrified from all sides – feeling ‘squeezed’ Area 2: Donegall Pass Recruitment: Community facilitator, focus groups and other contacts Recurring themes: • For most, want to stay – lots of intraarea movement • Substantial out-migration due to shortage of suitable housing (Housing Executive) • Some ‘cashing in’ on rising house prices and selling up (mostly bought through RTB) Area 2: Donegall Pass • But few choose to move if can stay – mostly movement for space – migration a huge event: “[Moving was] like a death in the family…it was really really hard…still is” (Protestant female, mid-40s) • Retention of networks and contacts • Movement tends to be highly segregated – Protestants in, and movement out to Protestant areas – same with hypothetical area choice • Reinforced by those selling homes – advice to viewers • Housing Executive area choice – both choice and offered General/ ‘universal’ trends Reasons why move: Dissatisfaction with current area/ property More space Garden Closer to work Closer to sick/ elderly relative Health reasons ‘Up and out’ Intimidation General/ ‘universal’ trends Factors considered when do move/ have moved: Familiarity – family ties, friends, where grew up, work, etc. Most search few areas and few properties – fairly fixed ideas about ‘acceptable’ or not Composition of the area (religion/ community background) a factor in most individuals’ decisions: • Fear / safety • Sectarianism General/ ‘universal’ trends This may be overt: “Completely Catholic areas. Because, I mean, I wouldn’t get a chance to live in it” (Protestant female, 40, Protestant area) “I don’t think we would move into Loyalist areas…I mean, it stands to sense” (Catholic male, mid 20s, mixed area) Or less direct For those claiming religion was not an issue, still had firm views about areas to avoid – mainly highly segregated areas, both Nationalist and Loyalist, regardless of the religion of the interviewee General/ ‘universal’ trends Most tend to consider areas of same ‘type’ as those already in – e.g. residents of working class areas choose working class areas – familiarity, horizons, but also more conscious – the ‘sense of community’. However, for some, social aspirations come to the fore Areas selected tended to be similar for individuals within each area Some forced/ designed segregation – role of institutions Mapping exercise ‘Fixed’ views reinforced in the mapping exercise: Area perceptions and residential desirability Summary Themes which are area/case-specific and general Reasons why people move tend to relate to ‘usual’ factors, plus NI effect Area selection (real and hypothetical): • Familiarity • Similar ‘types’, plus some aspirations • Mixed, or ‘same side’ Potential reinforcement of segregation Conclusions Mixture of methods has led to a rich tapestry Quantitative analysis points to a relationship between migration and residential segregation, although the picture is complex Qualitative research shows that community background has a strong influence, although other factors are important In addition to natural increase (in-situ growth), spatial reorganisation of the population is also having a major impact on changes in segregation Acknowledgements My supervisor, Dr Ian Shuttleworth, for his comments and advice The participants in my interviews and focus groups The community representatives, for their insight, and assistance in recruitment Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), for funding Contested Cities, Urban Universities (CU2) research team and funding body (European Programme Peace 2)