Place attachment in the Ex-situ poverty alleviation relocation: Evidence from different poverty alleviation migrant communities in Guizhou Province, China

The Ex-situ poverty alleviation relocation (ESPAR) program is an important policy initiative taken by the Chinese government to eliminate poverty. In a short time, a large number of migrants have moved to new communities for a better standard of living and opportunities for improving their condition. Place attachment is an important topic in migration, closely related to the people-place relationship and social stability. However, there are few relevant studies on the place attachment of poverty alleviation migrants (PAMs). To fill in this gap, we studied five new migrant communities in Anshun, Guizhou Province. We find significant differences between the three different resettlement modes (resettlement in original villages, resettlement in nearby townships, resettlement in cities and towns) in the place attachment level. The results of multiple linear regression models indicate that community support, such as basic infrastructures, social interaction, economy, and living environment signifi-cantly affect the construction of place attachment. Moreover, some sociodemographic characteristics and relo-cation factors also have significant impacts. Further policy recommendations including appropriate choice of resettlement modes, material and emotional guarantees, and comprehensive community support are put forward to improve the effectiveness of ESPAR.

Automated summary

The ESPAR program is a significant policy initiative by the Chinese government to eradicate poverty, with place attachment playing a crucial role in the adaptation and stability of poverty alleviation migrants. Research shows significant differences in place attachment levels among different resettlement modes, with factors such as community support, social interaction, economy, and living environment affecting place attachment construction. Policy recommendations focus on appropriate resettlement mode selection, material and emotional support, and comprehensive community assistance to enhance the effectiveness of ESPAR.