Exploring Place Identity and Local Heritage Commodification: A Comparative Study of Locally Born Residents and Internal Migrants

Abstract

In a global context where internal population mobility is becoming increasingly significant, the relationship between place identity, cultural heritage, and internal migration is inadequately documented, and the research on it remains limited. This study developed a framework to explore how individuals’ status as internal migrants is related to their perceptions of place identity and their attitudes toward the commodification of local cultural heritage. This interplay was examined in Sibiu, a Romanian city where cultural dynamism and the attraction of new internal migrants were stimulated by its designation as a European Capital of Culture in 2007. Using survey data collected from over 900 residents of Sibiu and employing inferential statistical modeling, the differences in terms of place identity and local heritage commodification between locally born residents and internal migrants were examined after controlling for various socioeconomic variables. The results revealed meaningful differences: natives highly value iconic buildings, architecture, and traditions and are more concerned about heritage damage from commodification. Conversely, newcomers relate to place identity and cultural heritage differently, linking their appreciation of local culture to the processes of integration and the economic opportunities triggered by commodification. This study contributes to the scholarship focused on understanding social representations of cultural heritage in a local context.