Some ethnic minority groups are segregated in London, and face both direct and indirect discrimination. The thesis explores the extent to which there is institutional discrimination in the planning system, and what local planning authorities are, and could be doing, to prevent themselves from unintentionally discriminating against ethnic minorities. Immigration and race relations legislation has shaped the history of twentieth century immigration and the current distribution of ethnic minorities in London. The theory and debates surrounding the segregation and integration of ethnic minorities are summarised, as are as ways of measuring degrees of segregation. Four areas of ethnic minority concentration in London, Waxlow in Ealing, Roundwood in Brent, St Peter's in Tower Hamlets and Dalston in Hackney are described in terms of their populations, the problems facing them, and the local policies which affect ethnic minorities in housing, employment, education and land use. It is important to establish to what extent ethnic minorities (particularly non-white ethnic minorities) are still discriminated against in housing, employment and education, (through the "colour bar"), and how this affects the process of ethnic segregation. Ethnic minorities are discriminated against (usually unintentionally) by the planning system, simply by it taking a "colour-blind" approach, treating all groups' needs as the same. To some extent planning authorities are now seeking to take account of the needs of ethnic minorities, although it is still a low priority for most. Recommendations are made for better practice by the DoE, CRE, RTPI, and local authorities, affecting plan-making, monitoring, and development control procedures
