Formation of immigrant neighbourhoods in Sweden: A case-study of Rinkeby, Stockholm

Abstract

The article describes the pattern of the formation of immigrant neighbourhoods in Sweden based on the neighbourhood of Rinkeby in Stockholm as an example. The research involves an analysis of related published studies and empirical data, which made it possible to analyse the urban history of Stockholm and synthesise the causes, premises and the timeline of Rinkeby’s development, including the Million Homes Programme and the consequences of the state housing policies on the neighbourhood. The article considers the infrastructural features of the neighbourhood nowadays, including the immigrant-oriented facilities and institutions and the prevalence of non-profit municipal rental housing, as well as the demographic characteristics of its inhabitants, including the classification of the population by the time of settlement in the neighbourhood. Finally, the article explores possible reasons for Swedes to avoid settlement in Rinkeby, such as low prestige, high percentage of immigrants in the population, high crime rate etc., as well as possible causes for further attractiveness of Rinkeby for immigrants, including shorter housing queues, immigrant infrastructure and culture in the neighbourhood. © Siberian Federal University. All rights reserved.