In-migration as opportunity for rural development

This article forms part of a series published as 'Interface: Exclusive countrysides? Rural gentrification, consumer preferences and planning'. In some developed countries such as the UK, in-migration to rural areas is seen as a challenge for community cohesion as affluent newcomers move to accessible rural areas where they displace "locals" from affordable housing. However, in more remote locations, an influx of residents with new skills, entrepreneurial capacity and political capital can represent an opportunity for rural communities. In this paper, we discuss an alternative perspective from the UK experience, by exploring the positive dimensions of in-migration in more remote rural localities.