New Methods and Theory on Immigrant Integration: Insights from Remote and Peripheral Areas

Looking beyond urban immigration, this ground-breaking book explores how immigrants can become a part of local communities in remote regions. Contributors argue that immigrant integration is place-dependent, and develop new theories, methodologies, and policies that address the specific dynamics of immigration to peripheral areas.

Emphasising migrants’ attachments to the places they reside in, this book adopts a bottom-up approach to immigrant integration, prioritising the needs of individual agents. It highlights the various methodological flaws and ideological biases of existing theories of integration and provides novel solutions to integration problems. Chapters examine key features of immigration to remote places, including transnational social networks developed by migrants, and translocal and global understandings of place. Ultimately, the book reveals the multi-faceted, multi-layered and socially-constructed nature of immigrant integration.

New Methods and Theory on Immigrant Integration will be an invaluable resource for students and scholars in international migration, human geography, ethnic relations, European studies, and sociology. It will also be essential reading for professionals in NGOs and political institutions seeking to develop effective immigration integration policies.

Edited by Daniel Rauhut, Affiliated Researcher, Centro de Estudos Geográficos, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal and Research Associate, Institute for Applied Research of Ageing, Villach, Austria