Chain Migration and Residential Segregation in São Paulo

Emily Skop, University of Texas at Austin
Ernesto F. Amaral, University of Texas at Austin
Joseph E. Potter, University of Texas at Austin
Paul A. Peters, University of Texas at Austin
Wilson Fusco, University of Texas at Austin

The powerful process of internal migration has guaranteed the constant transformation of Brazil's urban landscapes. Unfortunately, there is little empirical research examining the sociospatial impacts of internal migrants within cities. While detailed ethnographies describe the ways in which internal migrants from particular sending areas are funneled to certain city neighborhoods, no broad-scale urban analysis exists. This paper bridges theoretical and empirical gaps in the literature and provides the first spatial examination of internal migration settlement patterns using detailed sample data released from the 2000 Brazilian Census. Utilizing GIS and spatial segregation indices, the paper focuses on the geography of internal migration to and settlement within Sao Paolo. Specifically, the research objectives are to:(1) Describe the patterns of in-migration for various sending communities; (2) Document and map the newcomers' patterns of settlement; and (3) Determine to what extent social networks prompt particular migrants to spatially concentrate in certain neighborhoods within the city.