The unequal attachment to the place of new dwellers in rural areas: The case of the strawberry region in Huelva.

Abstract

New dwellers represent a relevant factor for the dy-namization and development of rural areas where they settled down. However, these positive effects highly depend on the type and degree of attachment that reflect regarding the locality where they live. Thus, the existence of newcomers may provoke sometimes problems and conflicts, in which a slight identification and implication to the place may play a central role. This paper explores the different ways of attachment to the place of those new dwellers located in the strawberry region of Huelva, considering their residential experiences through personal interviews. More specifically, there were carried out twenty three interviews to new dwellers due to criteria such as gender, age, origin and social and occupational situation. The results show significant differences among new dwellers concerning their attachment and identification to the place, although practically all agree on having a weak mooring.