Migration, Transformation and Sustainability, 2018-2022

Adger, W. Neil and Gemenne, François and Carr, Edward R. and Boyd, Emily and Codjoe, Samuel N. A. and Fransen, Sonja (2024). Migration, Transformation and Sustainability, 2018-2022. [Data Collection]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Service. 10.5255/UKDA-SN-857041

This project sought to develop conceptual and empirical evidence on the interactions between environmental and social dimensions of sustainability and migration. It collected primary data, specifically on how migration and migrant populations interact with sustainability concerns in destination cities, including on sustainability behaviours, attitudes, and perceptions of community, risk and safety, as elaborated in the urban-focused Sustainable Development Goal. The research design involved migrant destination urban areas in Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia. While migration is most frequently presented in terms of threat to environmental dimensions of sustainability, this research draws out the substantial opportunities it presents to strengthen urban sustainability. The objective of this project is, therefore, to use theory and rigorous empirical research to expand knowledge of transformations to sustainability by incorporating migration dynamics. These specifically include: the impact of aggregate flows of people on sustainability; the individual life-course dimensions of sustainability; and the governance of migration and sustainability.

Data description (abstract)

This project collected quantitative data through a cross-sectional survey that aims to study the disruptive potential of migration on behavioural and attitudinal aspects of consumption and habit formation for sustainable practices. The data were collected in eight cities: Accra (Ghana), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Brussels (Belgium), London (UK), Worcester (USA), Malmo (Sweden), and Maputo (Mozambique). The survey contains information on demographics, place of residence, place attachment, safe and trust, sustainable attitudes, and sustainable behaviours. In addition, data from Accra and Dhaka also contains life histories (i.e. retrospective data on demographics, migration history, place attachment, and safe and trust).

Data creators:

Creator Name	Affiliation	ORCID (as URL)
Adger W. Neil	The University of Exeter	https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4244-2854
Gemenne François	University of Liege	https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4900-9017
Carr Edward R.	Clark University	https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7784-471X
Boyd Emily	Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1643-9718
Codjoe Samuel N. A.	Regional Institute for Population Studies, Ghana	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6567-0262
Fransen Sonja	University of Amsterdam; Maastricht University; Erasmus University Rotterdam	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7709-4418

Sponsors:

Economic and Social Research Council, European Research Council, University of Exeter European Network Fund, NORFACE and the Belmont Forum Joint Research Programme on Transformations to Sustainability

Grant reference:

ES/S007687/1

Topic classification:

Natural environment
Politics
Demography (population, vital statistics and censuses)

Keywords:

MIGRANTS, SUSTAINABILITY, URBANIZATION, SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS, DEVELOPMENT AREAS (URBAN PLANNING), COMMUNITY SAFETY

Project title:

Migration, Transformation and Sustainability

Grant holders:

W. Neil Adger, François Gemenne, Edward R. Carr, Emily Boyd, Samuel N. A. Codjoe, Sonja Fransen

Project dates:

From	To
1 December 2018	31 May 2022

Date published:

13 Mar 2024 14:16

Last modified:

13 Mar 2024 14:27

Coverage and Methodology

Collection period:

Date from:	Date to:
18 November 2020	17 April 2022

Geographical area:

Accra, Dhaka, Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Worcester, Malmo, and Maputo

Country:

Ghana, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, United States, Sweden, Mozambique

Spatial unit:

Other

Data collection method:

The survey (n=4645) was administered among adults between 18 to 65 years old living in any of the eight cities. The main selection criterion of participants is based on migration experience. There are, therefore, three sub-samples: non-migrants (i.e. individuals born and raised in the city even though some might have some previous migration experience who returned to the city at least one year before the survey), internal migrants (i.e. individuals born in a region different from the one they live in), and international migrants (i.e. individuals born in a country different from the one they live in). The sampling method was based on quota-sampling (based on sex and length of stay) and location-sampling. In Accra, Dhaka, Worcester, Malmo, and Maputo, the listing took place in locations such as (ethnic) shops, particular neighbourhoods, events, religious sites, and organisations where the targeted migrant groups are likely to be present. When possible, non-migrants were recruited in the same locations and neighbourhoods. In Amsterdam and Brussels, the listing was done via Facebook. In the case of London, two surveys were administered – one with each of these sampling methods. The mode of collection also varies by city: in Accra, Dhaka, and Maputo, the survey was administered face to face using Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI), whereas in the remaining cities, it was implemented online.

Observation unit:

Individual

Kind of data:

Numeric, Text

Type of data:

Cross-national survey data

Resource language:

English

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