Exploring Patterns of Ethnic Diversification and Residential Intermixing in the Neighborhoods of Riga

Residential segregation remains a persistent challenge in European urban environments and is an increasingly focal point in urban policy debates. This issue is often intensified by immigration and social inequalities, contributing to the increase in ethnic and socioeconomic segregation. This study investigates the changing geographies of ethnic diversity and residential segregation in Riga, a post-socialist city with a historically diverse population and a recent increase in immigration. Using individual-level geo-referenced census data from 2000, 2011, and 2021, we examined changes in the spatial distribution of five major ethnic groups. Our analysis employs the Dissimilarity Index to measure ethnic residential segregation and Location Quotient to identify ethnic groups over- and under-represented across the city. The findings reveal that Riga's ethnic landscape is undergoing a gradual yet impactful transformation. The spatial distribution of ethnic groups is shifting, with the increasing segregation of certain groups, particularly traditional ethnic minorities, coupled with a growing concentration of Europeans and non-Europeans in the inner city. These findings align with the broader trends observed in European cities, where migration and globalization drive both ethnic diversification and segregation. However, the specific dynamics in Riga, particularly the persistence of traditional ethnic minority communities and the emergence of new ethnic groups, highlight the unique context of post-socialist urban landscapes.