Exploring Public Spaces’ Roles in Social Segregation with Social Network Analysis: A Data-Driven Case Study in Laredo, Texas

Social segregation is linked to social and health problems, but measuring it remains challenging. In Laredo, TX, we used mobile data and social network analysis to explore social exposure in this primarily Hispanic community. Despite low racial segregation, residents had limited exposure to diverse socioeconomic groups. Key drivers include density, ethnicity, household composition, commuting time, income, unemployment, and education. High-centrality, low-neutrality spaces (e.g., sports venues, stores) attract crowds but are dominated by certain groups, while low-centrality, high-neutrality spaces (e.g., museums, historical sites) offer greater exposure to different groups but have fewer visitors. Green spaces have potential to mitigate social segregation.