Park segregation

Date and country of first publication^[1]

2007
United States

Definition

Park segregation refers to the division of public parks based on race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. This was a common practice in the United States during the period of segregation laws, which prohibited people of different races from using the same facilities.

In many cities, parks were designated as "whites-only" or "blacks-only" spaces, with separate facilities such as restrooms, drinking fountains, and seating areas. This segregation was a way to enforce and perpetuate racial discrimination and inequality.

Today, park segregation is illegal under civil rights laws, and public parks are considered open to everyone regardless of race or background. However, there may still be instances of segregation based on socioeconomic factors, such as the availability of amenities in wealthier neighborhoods compared to those in lower-income areas.

Efforts are being made to ensure that public parks are accessible and inclusive to all members of the community, regardless of their background. This includes creating programs and initiatives to promote diversity and inclusivity in park spaces, as well as addressing any disparities in park resources and amenities.

Related segregation forms

Park segregation is frequently discussed in the literature with the following segregation forms:

racial segregation, social segregation, school segregation

This visualization is based on the study The Multidisciplinary Landscape of Segregation Research.

For the complete network of interrelated segregation forms, please refer to:

First year of publication

Louvain clusters

Betweenness centrality

Disciplines in which segregation forms first emerged (Scopus database).

References

Notes

↑ Date and country of first publication as informed by the Scopus database (December 2023).

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