Migration and the reconfiguration of rural places: The accommodation of difference in Odemira, Portugal

Abstract

International migration reconfigures rural places by engaging localities with globalising forces. Accommodating newcomers, be they farming labourers or lifestyle migrants is a challenge at the local level due to the clash of interests, different visions on how the land should be managed and development promoted. Using Odemira as a case study, the paper has two goals: to show the change brought about by foreign investments in agribusiness, international labourers and lifestyle migrants to a rural place; and to highlight the strategies devised by local actors in the accommodation of new demands of language and housing. Language classes for adults and housing provisions are far from satisfying the needs. Schools display more flexibility to accommodate migrant children, whereas the agribusiness firms are increasing its lobbying capacity for their interest by pushing forward the approval of an exceptional regime that authorises the installation of workers in precarious accommodation located on the farms.

“Why Here?”—Pull Factors for the Attraction of Non-EU Immigrants to Rural Areas and Smaller Cities

“…On the other hand, seeking political asylum; the desire to improve the development of the country of origin (Basabe et al 2004); spiritual aspects; and pursuing an alternative way of life (Fischer-Souan 2019;Fonseca et al 2021) were not presented by the participants as relevant in their move to the region. This study presents specific motives for the desire to live in rural regions such as the Alentejo that are not observed in other destinations, such as big cities.…”

“…He therefore advocates for international immigration inflows to sustain these regions. Fonseca et al (2021) also state that international migration is one of The ageing index is not surprising in the demographic overview. It is high and becomes higher near the border with Spain (Mauritti et al 2019).…”

“…This dimension is related to different perspectives, such as push-pull models, as well as the macro-level and structural perspectives. Complementarily, and focusing on a Portuguese municipality in Alentejo as a case study, Fonseca et al (2021) presented the spiritual aspects and alternative way of life as an international attraction: "the Tamera Ecovillage, the Community 108 and the spiritual retreat of a community led by guru Mooji are examples of alternative ways of life attracting members from all over the world" (p. 6). According to the aspirationscapabilities framework of De Haas (2021), people may be free, able, and active (and not victims) to decide to migrate and live in other places within given sets of perceived opportunity structures.…”

“…He therefore advocates for international immigration inflows to sustain these regions. Fonseca et al (2021) also state that international migration is one of the main driving forces of change in rural areas. What is consistent in the literature (Butkus et al 2018;Diogo 2024;Diogo et al 2023;Gauci 2020;Quintino 2018) is the focus on rural localities in different countries.…”

Land Policy for Rural Development in the European Union and its Impact on Access to Land

“…'Within the context of rural endogenous development, migration is a prerequisite.' (Stockdale, 2006, 364) The migrants have a different profile than the farm workers needed for exogenous development of large agricultural plants (Fonseca et al, 2021). This issue is also studied by Doitchinova et al (2018), comparing a flat area using external EU grants for mechanisation in very large farms with a mountainous area that developed more endogenously in Bulgaria.…”