Vertical Residential Segregation in Tokyo: Analysis of Census Micro-data and Real Estate Database

Keywords: vertical segregation, socio-spatial inequality, condominium transaction database, Tokyo, Japan
Session Type: Virtual Poster Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 02:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 03:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 32

Abstract

In the 21st century, the spatial concentration of high-income residents and the soaring prices of houses in the city center have triggered a growth in residential segregation in global cities. Although Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is one of such city, the extent of residential segregation is relatively low compared with Western countries. Meanwhile, some global cites have also witnessed the socio-economic stratification by floor of residence within high-rise condominiums (vertical residential segregation). To discuss the characteristics of urban inequalities of Tokyo, this study investigated the geographical and vertical residential segregation using census micro-data and real estate database. First, we illustrated the relationship between occupational groups and their living floor of buildings and found that the higher floors were over-represented by managerial and professional workers. Second, we mapped the housing prices by floors based on condominium transaction database at the neighborhood level. As supported by the association between residential segregation based on housing prices and the socio-economic status of residents, properties with higher unit prices have been found to be concentrated on the higher floors in the city center and distributed like enclaves within the city. In this backdrop, the price premiums on the upper floors can promote the progress of vertical residential segregation. These findings indicate that the spatial inequality in Tokyo has been driven by a combination of geographical and vertical residential segregation.