Suburban Residential Clustering of New Immigrant Groups: A Challenge to Spatial Assimilation?

Eric Fong, University of Toronto

Residential clustering of new immigrant groups in suburban areas has been drawing considerable attention in recent years. It may directly challenge the spatial assimilation perspective which expects new immigrants to share their neighborhood with the general population once they move to suburban areas. Based on 1996 Canadian census data, this study will explore racial and ethnic composition of the suburban and central-city neighborhoods where new immigrant groups are clustered. In addition, this study will examine demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of other groups who share their neighborhoods with the new immigrant groups in suburban and central areas. By documenting these backgrounds, we hope to evaluate the applicability of spatial assimilation perspective in this emerging phenomenon of residential clustering of new immigrant groups.