The Local Housing System in Craigavon, N. Ireland: Ethno-religious Residential Segregation, Socio-tenurial Polarisation and Sub-markets

The definition, identification and factors influencing the operation of local housing markets are relatively underresearched within the UK. This paper reports upon the outcomes of an investigation into the behaviour of housing markets within the local government area of Craigavon, Northern Ireland. The research investigated three interrelated themes of segregation, socio-tenurial polarisation and sub-markets. The findings indicate a high degree of ethnoreligious segregation, clear evidence of socio-tenurial polarisation and the existence of sub-markets defined both by religion and locality. There is little evidence of mobility between the two main towns within the local government area, Portadown and Lurgan, but there is clear evidence of dual market structures within both towns.