The Suburbanisation of Social Exclusion: Examples from Czechia

Abstract

This study investigates the geographic and socioeconomic characteristics of socially excluded suburban localities in Czech cities and their hinterlands. It develops groupings based on selected case studies, incorporating factors such as the size and population of the city and locality, socioeconomic indicators, ethnic and social composition, spatial positioning, historical development, and infrastructure accessibility. These analytical groupings aim not only to enhance academic understanding but also to inform targeted policy interventions. Drawing on urban models and social exclusion concepts, the study critically reinterprets them within the post-socialist Central European context. It further identifies emerging trends in the spatial distribution of socially excluded areas in suburban zones. The paper introduces key theoretical and conceptual frameworks related to social exclusion, emphasizing its multidimensional and spatially embedded nature. Methodologically, the study employs an interdisciplinary and multi-method approach primarily rooted in human geography.