Introduction
This report will be discussing about socio-spatial differences in a city. Firstly, it is
important to understand the meaning of socio-spatial differences and residential
segregation in general. Secondly, doing some explanation on the history of segregation in
Brunei Darussalam. Then, this report will explain about the current segregation in Ireland.
Furthermore, this report will look into current segregation in Brunei Darussalam which
could help in the discussion. Finally, wrapping up the report with looking at the
alternatives and policies from different views regarding the socio-spatial differences in a
city.
In general, social-spatial related in the vast differences in urban structures, housing
markets and socio-economic contexts. According to Bordieu 1979, socio-spatial
segregation linked with social distinction while Chmaboderon and Lemaire 1970 stated
that socio-spatial segregation related with social distance and with different levels of
economical income of the inhabitants. In housing, the socio-spatial pattern shows
urban-suburban divide in terms of housing tenure, housing conditions, and specifically
household’s status. In learning a city, the studies in western cities have found that
households with different socio-economic characteristics (race, income, education) were
sorted into spatially different locations in relation to the city center.
The socio-spatial differences in a city can be elucidated as most studies have focused on
spatial differences between the rich and the poor, or among racial and ethnic divisions (e.g.
Massey, 1996). Empirical studies have confirmed the existence of these spatial differences
in many western cities. The socio-spatial patterns in different cities around the world
historically vary due to varied cultural, environmental or historical reasons. As example
United States cities generally appear to have the poor households living in the city center
while the high income group spread into suburban areas: higher income households choose
to live in single family housing with bigger plot of land while the poor would compromise
the size of housing for the access to employment. On the contrary, European cities
generally hold a relatively higher income center because better and highly subsidized
public transportation system allowed the working class to commute to work daily (Glaeser
et al, 2008)
When we look into residential segregation, it is a physical separation of two or more
groups into different neighbourhoods, or a form of segregation that sorts population groups
into various neighbourhood contexts and shapes the living environment at the
neighbourhood level. The most commonly used measure of neighbourhood segregation is
the index of dissimilarity. This is a measure of the evenness with which two groups are
distributed across the component geographic areas that make up a larger area. Historically,
residential segregation constrained where minorities could live, contributing to disparities
in education, employment, and wealth.
Residential segregation has been associated with two important aspects, there are racial or
ethical and also income segregation. The location of public housing developments
influences both racial and income segregation patterns. Racial segregation in public
housing programs occurs when high concentrations of a certain minority group occupy one
specific public housing development. Income segregation occurs when high concentrations
of public housing are located in one specific income area. Income related residential
segregation is often analyzed with relation to the distance to the Central Business Districts
(Park et al., 1925).
History of segregation in Brunei
Brunei Darussalam, a small country located on the world’s third largest island, Borneo
with 5,765 km(s). Bandar Seri Begawan is the main city of the nation where in the old
times (before 1970s), it was called as ‘Brunei Town’. It also considered as one of the oldest
continuously ruling dynasties in the World according to Andrew Jones where the
development still in ongoing process. Andrew Jones (1997) also stated that the city steeped
in traditions yet faced with modern predicament.
In an article made by Smets and Salman (2008), following de Souza Briggs’ in defining
segregation, “it is indicated as ‘separateness’ per se” where segregation is also different
from questions of choice and discrimination. They also added that urban segregation
emerged in the contemporary globalized world especially from the western countries for
example racial segregation where it practicing to restrict people to certain circumscribed
areas of residence or to separate institutions for examples schools, churches and other
facilities like restaurants, parks and so forth on the basis of race or alleged race. Racial
segregation provides a means of maintaining the economic advantages and superior social
status of the politically dominant group. In Brunei also, the country also experienced
segregation. The traditional urban settlement in few centuries ago where it had two
different kinds of settlement where firstly, water settlement and secondly, land settlement.
Both settlements had different leaders where it shows that both settlements were already
segregated with each other. Within the water settlement also, the leader lived in the middle
which surrounded by his subjects. For Brunei, the traditional urban settlement mostly
concentrates in the water settlement because the people can make use the availability of
water for daily activities as well as main route form one place to another. The initial
settlement of Brunei is kampong Ayer where it still exists today. It began in the ninth
century where it was an important commercial trading centre and port. ‘The Kampong’ as
a single village, it consists of several Kampongs which for each identified by their own
name and for some extent, these villages have their own different skilled and capabilities.
For examples kampong Pandai Besi, as they were well-known as blacksmith, Kampong
Sungai Kadayan (Goldsmith), Kampong Periuk (Brasswork), Kampong Pedaun (Roofer by
using natural plants) and last but not least Kampong Pebalat- traditional fencer where at
