Residential Micro-Segregation and Social Capital in Lima, Peru

Residential micro-segregation, characterized by built barriers to mobility, negatively impacts social capital in Lima, Peru. The study reveals that suburban-inspired urban design correlates with increased micro-segregating infrastructure, independent of socioeconomic status, density, or urbanization age. Using data from 99,685 residential blocks and ten waves of the Lima Cómo Vamos survey (2010–2019), researchers found that such barriers reduce civic engagement while increasing trust in neighbors. This challenges traditional models of segregation, suggesting that its effects on social capital are more pronounced at smaller scales and in unequal cities like Lima.

Calderón-Figueroa, F. (2024). Residential Micro-Segregation and Social Capital in Lima, Peru. Land, 13(1), 113. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13010113