A spatial view of intra-urban migration search behavior

Abstract

The search behavior of intra-urban migrants was examined using spatial analysis techniques to determine if distinct patterns of distance, direction and sectoral bias are present in the search patterns of households seeking new residences. Map transformation and standard ellipse analysis indicated that little sectoral bias was present with regard to the CBD, but some directional and distance bias was evident. The similarity in the size of the search space and the nearness of the new residence to the center of the search space suggested that the migrants did follow a systematic search procedure while looking for a new home.