Social Change and Residential Differentiation: Perth 1971-81

Despite the continuing interest in urban residential patterns in Australia, few studies have dealt with changes over time. Using a variety of social indicators, this paper examines spatial differentiation in Perth between 1971 and 1981, focussing in particular on the proposition that, over time, social inequality within an urban area has a tendency to increase (Stilwell and Hardwick, 1973). However, although the results provide only limited evidence of this, structural changes in the workforce are clearly reflected in changing patterns of residential differentiation. The findings also illustrate the effects of social change in inner city areas and have important theoretical implications.