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Chinese Immigration in Vancouver:
A Test of the Spatial Assimilation Theory

Abstract

Spatial assimilation theory has been used to describe and analyze settlement patterns of immigrants within cities; however, in Vancouver, shifting patterns of mainland and Hong Kong Chinese have emerged, questioning the validity of that model. By testing whether there was a correlation between Chinese immigrants, income, and location of settlement, the applicability of spatial assimilation theory to Vancouver specifically, was explored. Statistics Canada census data for Metro Vancouver for 1981-2001 (1987 excluded) was used to monitor not only changes in settlement patterns of mainland and Hong Kong Chinese over space, but also over time. We found that the model only applies to Vancouver to a certain extent and can no longer capture the complexity of immigration and settlement patterns in this very dynamic city. Similarly, a statistical analysis showed no evidence of a direct correlation between income and place of settlement. Although many Chinese immigrants still settle in areas with high concentrations of their own group, differential settlement patterns were observed for mainland versus Hong Kong/Chinese groups.
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Collins, Reckermann and Robinson, 2007
www.geog.ubc.ca