The UneTra project (Unequal trajectories: Spatial dynamics in refugees‘ multidimensional integration) examines how the residential environment and residential mobility influence the integration of refugees in Germany.

The focus is on two groups: refugees who arrived in Germany around 2015 and refugees from Ukraine who have entered the country since February 2022.

The project analyzes the spatial distribution of refugees in Germany, comparing the housing situation of Ukrainian refugees with that of earlier refugee groups, who were subject to stricter residence requirements. It also investigates how characteristics of the residential environment affect the educational integration of refugee children and adolescents.

Particular attention is given to so-called initial reception neighborhoods, where refugees often find housing. These neighborhoods are often characterized by factors that can hinder integration (e.g., high poverty rates). On the other hand, they offer migrant infrastructures that can facilitate integration for newcomers.

The findings of UneTra are intended to provide valuable insights for effective housing and integration policies.