Abstract
As a consequence of the accelerated globalization process, today major cities all over the world are characterized by an increasing multiculturalism. The integration of immigrant communities may be affected by social polarization and spatial segregation. How are these dynamics evolving over time? To what extent the different policies launched to tackle these problems are working? These are critical questions traditionally addressed by studies based on surveys and census data. Such sources are safe to avoid spurious biases, but the data collection becomes an intensive and rather expensive work. Here, we conduct a comprehensive study on immigrant integration in 53 world cities by introducing an innovative approach: an analysis of the spatio-temporal communication patterns of immigrant and local communities based on language detection in Twitter and on novel metrics of spatial integration. We quantify the Power of Integration of cities –their capacity to spatially integrate diverse cultures– and characterize the relations between different cultures when acting as hosts or immigrants.
Highlights
Immigrant integration is a complex process involving a multitude of aspects such as religion, language, education, employment, accommodation, legal recognition and many others
Immigrant community integration in world cities from the number of people living outside their country of birth to place of residency to features of the labor market
Recent works by experts in the area highlight the dare need of more agile data sources about mobility and settlement patterns of immigrant and refugee communities. Rather than using these classical sources, in this work we explore the capability of the online social networks to provide information about the integration of immigrant communities
Summary
Immigrant integration is a complex process involving a multitude of aspects such as religion, language, education, employment, accommodation, legal recognition and many others. There have been advances in the definition of a common framework concerning immigration studies and policies [4], the approach to this issue remains strongly country-based [5]. The outcome of the process depends on the culture of origin, the one of integration and the policies of the hosting country government [6]. Spatial segregation in the residential patterns of a certain community has been taken as an indication of ghettoization or lack of integration [7]. While this applies to immigrant communities, it can affect to minorities within a single country [8]. The spatial isolation reflects in the economic status of the segregated community and in social relationships of its members [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
