'Decision not to decide': a new challenge for planning

This article examines how the policy-maker’s ‘decision not to decide’ affects different levels of internal organization and how it is reflected in the residential patterns of different population groups. The article explores the dynamics of residential patterns in two case studies: the Collective behaviour of the Sylheti community along Whitechapel Road in Eastern London and the Group Action of the ‘Kol-Torah’ Community in Zangwill Street, Jerusalem, where Inner-markets activities create clear property lines around/within their boundaries and result in a similar homogeneous pattern. Identifying the main engines of organized neighbourhood change and the difficulties of planning and dealing with individuals in the housing market shed light on similar processes occurring in other city centres with diverse population groups

Residential Choices as a Driving Force to Vertical Segregation in Whitechapel

This study examines the impact of habitat choices and householder migration on Inter-building Vertical segregation in Whitechapel, a diverse inner-city neighbourhood in London. For migrants living in this absorption area, the need for a sense of belonging and continuity leads to the development of micro mechanism that improve the individuals' ability to cope with the urban challenges. Based on residential records at the resolution of single families and flats that cover a period of 17 years, the study reveal and analyse powerful mechanism of residential segregation at the vertical dimension of buildings, which the dwellers are recognise, adjust to and obey. Taken together, this mechanism is a candidate for explaining the dynamics of residential segregation in Whitechapel during 1995-2012

Schelling-Type Micro-Segregation in a Hassidic Enclave of Stamford-Hill

This study examines how non-economic inter- and intra-group relationships are reflected in residential pattern, uses a mixed methods approach designed to overcome the principal weaknesses of existing data sources for understanding micro residential dynamics. Micro–macro qualitative and quantitative analysis of the infrastructure of residential dynamics offers a holistic understanding of urban spaces organized according to cultural codes. The case study, the Haredi community, is composed of sects, and residential preferences of the Haredi sect members are highly affected by the need to live amongst ‘friends’ – other members of the same sect. Based on the independent residential records at the resolution of a single family and apartment that cover the period of 20 years the study examine residential dynamics in the Hassidic area of Stamford-Hill, reveal and analyze powerful Schelling-like mechanisms of residential segregation at the apartment, building and the near neighbourhood level. Taken together, these mechanisms are candidates for explaining the dynamics of residential segregation in the area during 1995–2015