Moving Up or Staying Down? Migrant-Native Differential Mobility in La Paz

Abstract

The higher you live, the poorer you are" goes the common phrase in La Paz . On aggregate, this view of residential segregation in this high Andean city is accurate . However, the results from empirical research among the residents of different types of low-income housing zones point to some considerable variations in the housing careers of the city-born poor and the migrant poor in La Paz . Centrifugal mobility is the general pattern for the low-income groups in La Paz-but the city-born residents usually move over shorter distances than migrants and substantial numbers still locate in the central tenement district . The spatial aspects of housing careers are highly influenced by the geographical distribution of a respondent's contacts in the city . Many migrants nowadays end up in the far periphery of the city's high plateau, whereas the indigenous poor still manage to secure accommodation in the more sheltered parts of the central basin . The other side of the picture is that the city-born poor remain in non-owned accommodation for rather prolonged periods, whereas the migrant poor attain self-help ownership much more quickly .

Migrant Settlement and Spatial Distribution in Metropolitan Shanghai∗

“…Particularly for new arrivals with few acquaintances in the city, an initial residence within walking distance of jobs is essential (Conway 1985;Gilbert and Varley 1990). Others point out the importance of kinship and friendship ties, acting as social institutions (Abu-Lughod 1961;Collier 1976;UNCHS 1982;Banerjee 1983;van Lindert 1991). Migrants' first place of residence in the city is largely predetermined by the location of kin or friends.…”

“…The expansion and redevelopment of the commercial core has led to a rapid rise in land costs. To avoid higher rents within the city, migrants are attracted to settlements in intermediate or peripheral zones, and recent arrivals tend to locate more on the outskirts (United Nations Center for Human Settlements [UNCHS] 1982;Conway 1985;Gilbert and Varley 1990;van Lindert 1991). The trend of increasing concentration of new migrants in the periphery has been observed in, for instance, Jakarta, Indonesia (Rustiadi and Panuju 2006); Karachi, Pakistan (Ahmad 1992); La Paz, Bolivia (van Lindert 1991); and Lagos, Nigeria (Afoloyan 1982cited in Ahmad 1992.…”

Drifting and getting stuck: Migrants in Chinese cities

“…Particularly for new arrivals with few acquaintances in the city, an initial residence within walking distance of jobs is essential (Conway, 1985;Gilbert and Varley, 1990). Others also point out the importance of kinship and friendship ties, acting as social institutions (Abu-Lughod, 1961;Banerjee, 1983;van Lindert, 1991).…”

“…As their income level improves, they upgrade shanty dwellings over time into more substantial houses (Turner, 1968;Klak and Holtzclaw, 1993). In a number of countries with continuing urbanization, intermediate or peripheral zones have become the major destination for new migrants (UNCHS, 1982;Conway, 1985;Gilbert and Varley, 1990;van Lindert, 1991). Overall, the periphery location is characterized by squatter settlement or self-help housing.…”

Choice of Location and Mobility Behaviour of Migrant Households in a Third World City

“…Over 60 per cent of new migrants received help from relatives or friends in securing their first jobs . This reliance is even greater in securing shelter, with four out of five migrants receiving such help in finding accommodation (van Lindert, 1991) .…”