Residential segregation of Chinese minority groups in Greater Sydney

Abstract

Over the years, migration to the major cities of advanced economies has culminated in residential segregation for minority groups. These segregated communities often have differing driving forces and demographic characteristics. Greater Sydney, for instance, has been home to waves of immigrants, particularly from China, making the Chinese the third-largest immigrant group in Australia as of 2021. This resulted in the formation of Chinese enclaves in the city, but the residential segregation of the Chinese minority has not been examined in the literature. Notably, these Chinese enclaves may not align with the traditional understanding of residential segregation. To address this gap, we interviewed 61 Chinese residents living within these designated enclaves and supplemented our findings with secondary data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. We applied content analysis and qualitative methods to identify the prominent enclaves, their determinants, and the consequences of living in these areas. The findings suggest that Chinese enclaves do not match the typical segregated areas known for their socio-economic disadvantages. Chinese migrants tend to settle in certain areas primarily due to favorable pull factors, such as access to quality education, better economic opportunities, and well-developed infrastructure. Although these areas also provide supportive environments with cultural and community benefits that facilitate the settlement and integration of Chinese migrants into Australian society, they still face unique challenges, such as potential cultural segregation and the impact on local house prices. The findings could inform settlement policies by the relevant state authorities and aid the decisions of newly arrived in Australia.