The Curious Case of the Mis-claimed Myth Claims: Ethnic Segregation, Polarisation and the Future of Bradford

Abstract

The claims made by a number of authors about the mythical status of ethnic residential segregation in the Bradford District are shown to be untenable. There is clear evidence of segregation, self-segregation and increasing levels of segregation in the Bradford context. These social patterns give rise to concerns about the possibility of cultural and political polarisation, and accompanying social conflict, between population groups with differing racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. An open and inclusive dialogue about a shared future would help to avoid any danger of this possibility materialising.