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Title: Density Zoning and Class Segregation in U.S. Metropolitan Areas

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2010

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Abstract: Objectives. Socioeconomic segregation rose substantially in U.S. cities during the finaldecades of the 20th century and we argue zoning regulations are an important cause for thisincrease. Methods. We measure neighborhood economic segregation using the Gini Coefficientfor neighborhood income inequality and the poor-affluent exposure index. These outcomes areregressed on an index of density zoning developed from the work of Pendall for 50 U.S.metropolitan areas, while controlling for other metropolitan characteristics likely to affect urbanhousing markets and class segregation. Results. For both 2000 and changes from 1990 to 2000,OLS estimates reveal a strong relationship between density zoning and income segregation, andreplication using 2SLS suggests that the relationship is causal. We also show that zoning isassociated with higher inter-jurisdictional inequality. Conclusions. Metropolitan areas withsuburbs that restrict the density of residential construction are more segregated on the basis ofincome than those with more permissive density zoning regimes. This arrangement perpetuatesand exacerbates racial and class inequality in the United States.

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Authors: Massey, Douglas S.; Rothwell, Jonathan

Periodical (Full): Social Science Quarterly

Issue: 5

Volume: 91

Pages: 1123-1143

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Housing and Segregation, Other, Race and Ethnicity

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