Mixed Population in Residential Neighborhoods - General Analysis.

Two sets of variables contribute to positive relations with neighbors: physical proximity and social homogeneity. The latter is the most important one. From the viewpoint of the social network, or sociability of the neighborhood unit, it is advisable to plan an homogeneous community. In the social sphere there is an indication that mixing different socioeconomic groups provokes conflicts and hostility among the parties involved. As for the ethnic variable there are contradictory evidences. Some researchers claim that heterogeneity contributes toward ethnic tolerance whereas others claim the opposite. The prevailing theory today is that ethnic relations depend on whole set of variables which operate separately and accumulatively. The most important variable is apparently the socioeconomic status of the group involved. Most of the Israeli studies on mixed neighborhoods dealt with the ethnic consequences of the mix. It appears that people of Afro-Asian descent are more responsive to mixing than dwellers of European or American origin. It is evident that mixing of extremely heterogeneous groups is a priori doomed to failure.