residential segregation cannot occur without social inequality because a society that is wholly egalitarian in its socioeconomic makeup will contain no groups classes or strata that can be differentiated by their geographical location conversely high levels of socioeconomic inequality may be found in both segregated and unsegregated cities the territorial character of segregation means however that peoples geographical mobility is a key factor as it can alter their residential situation and in the aggregate change the levels and patterns of residential segregation