Previous studies have well recorded that the pattern of ethnic concentration in post-war large scale housing estates (HEs) firmly persists, and that this also has an effect on income differentiation. Very few studies so far have focused on the links between life course differences in residential mobility and how this leads to the production and reproduction of ethnic divisions. The socio-ethnic decline comparable to West-European cities has not yet been the case in CEE post-socialist HEs. The almost full-extent privatization of dwellings, the major role of HEs in the housing market, and the different character of immigration play an important role in these different outcomes. Yet, many HEs already experience social infiltration and increasing ethnic minority concentration. HEs in post-socialist cities follow different residential trajectories, partly because they are in different life course phases. Based on Estonian censuses, we aim to trace these different neighbourhood life course trajectories based on long-term changes (2000–2021) in HEs of Tallinn and investigate how micro-level residential mobility patterns contribute to neighbourhood changes. The results reveal that replacement of ethnic minorities by native young households takes place in inner city HEs, whereas rapid ‘family flight’ of natives takes place in suburban HEs, while ‘affordability’ and social environment attracts non-native families. HEs are becoming ‘springboards’ for native young, but they represent a more permanent housing solution for ethnic minorities.

Kadi Kalm, Anneli Kährik, Kadri Leetmaa, Petra Špačková
University of Tartu, Charles University

 
ID Abstract: 288