The Theory of the Ghetto through the prism of the Bulgarian reality (a case study of Harman Mahala, Plovdiv)

Ghettoised urban structures form an essential component of the urban environment wherever they are found and their distinctive physical traits make them clearly identifiable. In the present study, various theories, concepts and viewpoints – mostly of European and American scientists – have been examined and the theoretical aspects of the term "ghetto" have been outlined through the prism of the Bulgarian reality – based on the example of the Roma neighbourhood of Harman Mahala in the City of Plovdiv. The main research question to which an answer is sought is: are the Roma neighbourhoods in Bulgaria essentially ghettos and how many of the characteristics of the ghetto do they exhibit? The study is based on a survey amongst 500 inhabitants of Harman Mahala or 27.8% of its population, as well as on in-depth, semi-structured interviews, with representatives of local authorities, educational and health mediators from the studied Roma neighbourhood school principals, teachers and students. Through the application of the so-called checklist method, it was established that the studied Roma neighbourhood meets all but one condition (Involuntary segregation), in order to be referred to as a “ghetto” and, therefore, it can only be regarded as a “ghettoised urban structure”.