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The INDUST project, funded by the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) and Data:Research:Austria, is delving into the intricacies of internal migration patterns within Austria's urban-rural system. Led by Elisabeth Gruber from the University of Innsbruck and Alois Humer from the Institute for Urban and Regional Research of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the project aims to shed light on urbanization processes at the individual level over time and across generations.
The three-year investigation, scheduled to run from 1st July 2025 to 30th June 2027, employs a longitudinal approach, comparing individual life courses to uncover the complex interplay between housing decisions, life course contextual factors, and the socio-spatial macro level.
The project's methodology includes the use of longitudinal techniques, such as sequence analysis, to analyze microdata from Statistics Austria. Sequence analysis will be used to describe, visualize, and typify the temporal course of longitudinal data, while multi-channel sequence analyses and regression models will help uncover social and spatial influence factors.
A sequence is defined as a series of categorical states that can describe various statuses, conditions, or locations and thus different trajectories. By analyzing these sequences, the project aims to understand the nuances of internal migration patterns in Austria.
The initial findings of the INDUST project reveal that internal migration patterns in Austria are closely associated with socio-demographic life domains and are significantly influenced by spatial and socio-economic macro-factors.
Internal migration is not random but linked to individual life course events and socio-demographic variables such as age, occupation, education, and family status. Migration patterns show variation across different regions due to spatial factors, including urban-rural divides, industrial legacies, and transport accessibility.
Socio-economic macro-factors such as economic structure, local labor market conditions, and regional innovation capacity play a major role in shaping migration flows. Regions with diverse economies, strong innovation performance, and good connectivity tend to attract and retain populations better, thus influencing internal migration positively.
These findings align with those from broader European spatial research, indicating that territorial access to jobs, education, and services alongside economic structure and regional resilience are key drivers behind migration decisions within countries like Austria.
The INDUST project also investigates connected life events such as education, employment, or family dynamics, as well as economic and ecological spatial trends and their influence on migration patterns across different age groups. Data for the project will be provided by the Austrian Micro Data Center of Statistics Austria.
Guided by three research questions, the project seeks to identify the diversity of internal migration patterns and explain how they contribute to trends in urbanization (and counter-trends). These questions include understanding typical internal migration patterns for different age groups over the last 20 years, the extent to which migration patterns correspond with processes in other socio-demographic life domains, and how migration patterns are influenced by spatial and socio-economic macro-factors.
Fabian Windhager and Anna Kajosaari are also part of the project team, contributing to the comprehensive understanding of Austria's internal migration patterns.
The INDUST project, funded by the Austrian Academy of Sciences and Data:Research:Austria, is not only delving into internal migration patterns within Austria's urban-rural system but also seeks to understand the complex interplay between this phenomenon and various factors in the industry, finance, and business sectors. The project's research questions include the investigation of connected life events such as employment and economic spatial trends, which are intrinsically linked to these domains.
The initial findings of the INDUST project suggest that socio-economic macro-factors, such as regional innovation capacity and economic structure, have a significant impact on internal migration patterns in Austria. These factors, being integral parts of the industry, finance, and business sectors, provide insights into the role these domains play in shaping migration flows.
