Cities represent the spatial reflection of wider social processes. Across the history of research into cities there has been widespread acceptance of the way in which a study of the residential spatial structure of urban areas reflects the broader structure of society. Early illustrates how the city reflects a mosaic of social areas, each representing a combination of characteristics which at an aggregate scale reflects the broad influences underway in society at any one point in time. A significant level of research has flowed from this early analysis. One area of consistent interest has been the way in which social disadvantage and inequality has its reflection in the socio-spatial structure of cities. Within Australian cities this research has focused on statistical analyses of individual cities as well as analysis of patterns focusing on all cities.

Not surprisingly, what a lot of this research points to is that the social structure of Australian cities, like cities in other countries, has not been immune to the range of social, economic and policy transitions that have characterised much of Australia’s recent past.

Considering the results, it is clear that a complex social and economic landscape has, not surprisingly continued to characterise the metropolitan cities of Australia. What is most obvious is that like earlier periods of social and economic change, there have been clear winners and losers from recent stages of social and economic transitions. Put simply, although the national economic tied has risen, not all boats have begun to float.