ABSTRACT

Abstract Vienna is in a special position, characterised by a uniquely high proportion of old housing stock and communal housing. Typical for Vienna too is a policy of social equality, with the city constantly working to develop measures aimed at reducing social disparities. In Vienna socio-economic segregation is the result of a complex interplay between educational attainment, segmentation of the housing market and housing policies. This chapter analyses the processes of change in segregation patterns and tries to answer the question of how spatial polarisation processes are shaped under this ‘special’ social-oriented approach. Through mapping and factorial analysis it will be shown that socio-economic features have become more prominent in explaining patterns of socio-spatial segregation. Furthermore, a polarisation between public housing, where the lower qualified (with or without migration background) live, and the residential areas of the upper social strata has become obvious.