Through the example of Naples, this thesis analyses the importance of kinship in the upper class residential location and mobility in a Mediterranean city. Though many studies have stressed the importance of a family residential proximity cultural model in Southern European countries, the forms of this model in urban space and its effects on urban housing market, architecture and socio-spatial organization have not been studied in detail. Focusing on the Neapolitan upper class, It's demonstrated that kin relationships played an important part in the constitution of a "social zoning" in Naples, which has been conventionally described as a symbol of low segregated Mediterranean cities. The research is based on Census data, National Surveys on kinship, select schools members' lists and semi-structured interviews with Center Naples old upper class families. First, quantitative data was used to locate high status residential areas in the city and to compare Naples socio-spatial organization with that of other Mediterranean Cities. Then, interviews were used to shape the geographical career of 50 kinship groups in the city from late 19th century to nowadays. They showed the influence of family aggregation strategies in the making of upper class areas and their present spatial "inertia" in the City. Maps of these Families' Residential morphology, holiday destinations, and sociability places in the city were also made. To finish, interactions between urban domination zone and family networks are investigated.