A new neighbourhood in Barcelona? Resignification of the sense of place and operational gentrification in la Cerdanya

Abstract

This article examines the population increase in la Cerdanya since COVID-19 from a psychosocial perspective, focusing on how the sense of place influences migratory processes in highly touristified yet depopulated areas. Using a descriptive analysis of demographic and socioeconomic data and thematic discursive analysis, the study explores the experiences of individuals who settled in the county after March 2020. Findings suggest that this migration trend predominantly involves former vacationers who, taking advantage of remote work opportunities, have moved there their primary residence, thereby accelerating the psychosocial integration of la Cerdanya into the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. Drawing on Neil Brenner’s concept of "operational landscapes", the article introduces the term operational gentrification to describe this phenomenon.