Spatial migration patterns and explanatory factors of Bundang New Town residents, Seoul Metropolitan Area, Korea

Abstract

This study analyzes the patterns of and factors in the residential migration of Korean metropolitan suburbanites. To analyze migration careers, the concept of life stage is adopted. The results of the analysis are summarized as follows: Three patterns were significant in the migration of residents from nonmetropolitan areas (nMA) : nMA - Kangnam - Bundang New Town (NT) ; nMA - Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA) - Bundang NT : and nMA - Kangbuk (-Kangnam) - Bundang NT. Residents from nMA carried out long-distance migration to Seoul and the SMA in the household preparation period. After some short-distance migrations within these areas, they reached Bundang NT. Accessibility caused the migrations in the household preparation period. In the household formation period, housing conditions promoted migrations. The household growth period received strong influence from housing conditions and speculative behavior for personal property. Typical migration patterns of persons coming from Seoul followed two courses, Kangbuk - Kangnam - Bundang NT, and Kangbuk - SMA - Bundang NT. In the former pattern, housing conditions and accessibility factor caused migration in the household preparation and formation periods. The housing conditions reflected deterioration of residences in the Kangbuk region. Persons with the former pattern moved to Bundang NT in the household grow period to purchase a good housing environment and to try land speculation. In the later pattern, outmigration to the SMA occurred in the household preparation period due to family circumstances. They came to Bundang NT based on the factors of accessibility and speculation after short migration within the SMA. Considering that 60% or more of the sample migrants moved into Bundang NT by way of Kangnam, residential experience in Kangnam decided them to move into Bundang NT. Kangnam is a wealthy residential area. In other words, Kangnam attracts residents and makes the socioeconomic attributes homogeneous. Among the people who were able to reside in Kangnam, only those planning to pursue a better residential environment in the household growth period and making good use of assets could move to Bundang NT.