Ethnolinguistic diversity slows down urban growth

Cities grow at a slower rate where different ethnolinguistic groups live together. (Photo: Nasa) - Where various ethnic groups live together, cities grow at a slower rate. That is the conclusion reached by a researcher from the University of Basel and his colleagues based on worldwide data that shows how the diversity of language groups in 1975 has influenced urban growth 40 years later. The scientists have reported their findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The growth of cities plays a key role in a region's economic development. Although many factors affecting urban development have been studied extensively, economic research has so far paid little attention to one such factor: ethnolinguistic diversity. Studies in the area of conflict research have shown that the risk of conflict is increased when various ethnic groups live in close proximity.