Abstract

DOMINGUEZ AGUILAR, Mauricio; RUBIALES-PEREZ, Miguel  and  BAYONA-I-CARRASCO, Jordi. Immigration of "quality of life" and partial exit: a study based on the cases of Mérida (Mexico) and Barcelona (Spain). Rev. colomb. soc. [online]. 2018, vol.41, n.1, pp.177-202. ISSN 0120-159X.  https://doi.org/10.15446/rcs.v41n1.61708.

The cities of Mérida (Mexico) and Barcelona (Spain) are located in regions with strong tourism associated with their heritages, their climatic conditions and their coastal locations. In addition, they attract those living in neighboring countries with higher costs of living because of the better climate and the more affordable costs of living which permit a "great lifestyle". Given these conditions, middle-class persons from the United States and Canada, in the case of Mexico, and from France, Germany and England or other EC countries, in the case of Spain, without work obligations in their country of origin (because they are retired or have some income), take up residence in these cities. As well, the development of off-site work and economic globalization has contributed to the increased mobility of businesses to other countries. These socio-economic factors along with a particular residential and tourist production strategy in these regions give rise to situations of tourism, partial exit and immigration. Using various quantitative and qualitative methodologies, this article analyzes the characteristics and territorial distribution of middle class international migrants in both cities as a starting point to study the impact of this phenomenon on gentrification and residential segregation. The results obtained in both cities are similar. Both cases deal with continuous growth, with the migration of middle classes increasing in importance and visibility, reinforcing and increasing the existing residential segregation in these cities.

Keywords : international comparison; international immigration; partial exit; quality of life; territorial patterns; urban dynamics.

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