Field Studies of Ethnocultural Enclaves in American Cities

Methods and Research Examples

Abstract

The field studies method is one of the central methods in Human Geography. Field methods are one of the main aspects of the L.V. Smirnyagin scientific heritage in general and American studies in particular. This article is dedicated to the field studies of ethnocultural diversity in some U.S. cities. High diversity — of races, regions of origin, ethnic and cultural ancestries — is one of the fundamental characteristics of the USA.

Large metropolitan areas are the main centers of the economy, gateways of immigration and the largest representatives of high population diversity. So-called ethnic quarters are usual parts of big American cities, and such areas are the brightest representatives of diversity in urban landscapes.

Field methods allow geographers to locate such areas and compare them to each other according to their visual features.

Such a method, in combination with statistics and historical data, enables researchers to make a full description of ethnic enclaves and figure out their stage of development and type.

This article includes the author’s theoretical points and methods of field studies for ethnocultural enclaves, as well as examples of its use — complex reviews about two ethnic areas in New York City.