Methodological approach to analyze social-spatial segregation in the peri-urban areas of mexican intermediary cities

Abstract

The growth of Latin-American cities, has been fragmented and sectorized, setting unequal conditions for the inhabitants. In Mexico, disparities in the spatial conformation of the urban centers as well as the segregation of people, have increased mainly in peri-urban areas.

The studies about segregation has been descriptive, focused mainly on socioeconomic variable of the social groups living in large cities. Only a few studies have centered the attention in peri-urban areas of the intermediary cities. It shows necessity reconsider methodological approaches to analyze segregation in peri-urban areas that have had growing urban dynamisms but keeping its rural structures.

Combine physical and social dimensions from different geographical scales and temporary, this paper proposes a methodology to analyze the segregation in peri-urban areas of Mexican intermediary cities. The methodology shows the implications of the urban structures and social organization for the communities in segregation process.

Also, this methodology allows identifies the segregation like social differentiation process has been building historically and created in regional and municipalities contexts which are the environments where the population interrelate with different living conditions. The habitants have faced this context reinforced and limited their segregation.

This methodological approach contributes to demystify the negative perspective of segregation in the peri-urban areas of Mexican intermediary cities, which is also important for Latin American cities.