Place, sense of place and migration processes: International migration from the periphery of Mexico City

Geography has extensively discussed on "place" and "space". The bulk of this literature has focused on theory, with methodological accounts (particularly those quantitative) being marginal. Thus little progress has been made to assess or measure senses or place. Furthermore the analytical potential of these geographical concepts has still to be explored for migration studies. Set in this context, the article studies "place" and "sense of place" of residents in Valle de Chalco-Solidaridad, a municipality of Greater Mexico City, and explores their relevance to understand people's migration trajectories. For this, data from a representative household survey are used (plus 31 semi-structured interviews to household heads that were previously selected from the survey). Amongst conclusions, international migration comes out as a real option for people of Mexico City, regardless of their place attachment or place identity, provided the lack of formal jobs and services.