Immigration and changing territories. Theory and practice(s) of the attraction-repulsion model in a low density region

Abstract

The Pioneer studies by Ravenstein (1876, 1889) had a determinant character in the construction of the theoretical Framework associated to migrations. By developing the principles of the attraction-repulsion model, the author highlights the role of the territorial dynamic in structuring the migration process of the individuals, whose decision of moving from the place of origin to a certain destination is connected to the positive or negative perception towards certain aspects of both places. Meaning, on the one hand, that migrants are influenced by the existence of repulsive factors on the departure territory; on the other hand, the choice of the destination territory will be conditioned by the existence of attractive factors, namely in economic, work and social terms. Lee (1969) continues Ravenstein’s work, although with some critics, considering the existence of intervening obstacles and personal factors as determinant aspects to be considered in the decision to migrate. Therefore, it is assumed that there is a tendency so that migrants come from sparsely populated areas to places with a larger human concentration; from low density regions to economically and socially dynamic areas; from poor and low development territories to territories with greater levels of development. However, it is questioned the linearity of the process: can the considered repulsive areas reveal different dynamics (in this case, positive dynamics) against opposite migratory realities? Aiming to clarify the issue, it is intended to discuss the structuring principles of the attraction-repulsion model by Ravenstein, bearing in mind not only the critical analysis by Lee, but also the assumptions defended by the main migration models and theories, in a perspective of complementarity. Besides this theoretical construction, it will be analyzed the case study of a Portuguese low density territory with potentially repulsive characteristics in the Alto Alentejo sub-region. The research interest of this geographical area is related with the fact that, throughout the last decade, a renewed territorial dynamics at a local scale is being verified,  generated by the presence of immigrant groups that live and work in this area. From the understanding of the moving motivations of these individuals between these two migration poles (origin and destination), it will be tried to discuss in practical terms the validity and fragility of the migration model in question.