FALLET WETTERLINSGATAN Ryktets drivkrafter: en teoriprövande fallstudie

Abstract

This study examines how a neighborhood develops a negative reputation by comparing segregation processes in a small town to a theoretical framework. Using Wetterlinsgatan in Falköping as a case study, the research applies established theories of residential segregation and territorial stigma, especially Wacquant’s concept of place stigma. The case of Wetterlinsgatan shows a similar pattern to previous research, namely the departure of resourceful residents and increasing ethnic segregation as foreign-born residents are moving into the neighborhood. Media coverage has played a key role in reinforcing the neighborhood’s negative image over time. However, in small towns like Falköping, stronger social connections and greater local familiarity cause reputations to spread more quickly and become more deeply ingrained, making them harder to change. The study highlights how local narratives, media portrayal, and residential turnover sustain a lasting stigma. It calls for more research on segregation and stigma in small-town settings, which are less studied than urban areas.