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Residential dynamics and neighbourhood conditions of older migrants and native Dutch older adults in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 October 2014

SABINE VAN DER GREFT ,
SAKO MUSTERD  and
FRANS THISSEN
SABINE VAN DER GREFT*
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
SAKO MUSTERD
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
FRANS THISSEN
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
*
Address for correspondence: Sabine van der Greft, Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 15629, 1001 NC Amsterdam, The Netherlands. E-mail: s.vandergreft@uva.nl
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Abstract

The share of older migrants in Dutch cities is increasing. However, only limited knowledge has been gained about the urban conditions that older migrants live in and how these compare to those of their native Dutch counterparts. This paper contributes to filling this knowledge gap using detailed information on residential patterns, housing conditions and levels of neighbourhood deprivation in the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and links this information to data about housing and neighbourhood satisfaction and perceived safety. Empirical evidence demonstrates that there is strong path dependence with regard to the places in which one finds different groups of older non-Western migrants. Older non-Western migrants in Amsterdam are highly concentrated in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The number of concentrations has increased significantly over the past decade, as well as the concentration levels. Nevertheless, we did not find indications of social isolation. With regard to housing conditions, we found better conditions for socio-economically similar groups of native Dutch and Surinamese 55+ residents, compared to Turkish and Moroccan 55+ residents. These conditions correspond with levels of housing satisfaction. Surinamese older people are more positive about their neighbourhoods. We hypothesise that this is related to the restructuring of neighbourhoods where Surinamese 55+ residents are concentrated. Although the immediate environment of older non-Western people is characterised by high levels of social deprivation, this does not translate into dissatisfaction with social relations or feelings of lack of safety. This suggests that their residential concentration in particular urban neighbourhoods may also bring significant opportunities.

Keywords

ageingAmsterdamdeprivationethnicityhousingmigrantssegregation

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Type
Articles
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Ageing & Society , Volume 36 , Issue 1 , January 2016 , pp. 189 - 218
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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