Between the waves of migration and tourism: OHIO researcher explores challenges of Mediterranean cities
As Mediterranean cities grapple with rising migration and an increase in mass tourism, 51社区 researcher Smoki Musaraj, Ph.D., is working with experts in the region to understand the effects of these transformations on the everyday lives of migrant and poor residents鈥攁nd how they are fighting back.
Trenton Straight, MA '25 | March 11, 2024
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Musaraj, an associate professor of anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences, found that mass tourism has posed both opportunities and challenges for port cities like Barcelona and Marseille. She conducted her during a 2023 residency at , the Institute for Advanced Studies of Aix-Marseille University.
鈥淭hese are both cities that, at least in theory, claim to welcome migrants and refugees, unlike other cities in Europe,鈥 Musaraj said.
Musaraj鈥檚 research focuses on understanding the changes happening in Barcelona and Marseille through ethnography, a way researchers learn about different cultures by watching and talking to people in their everyday lives.
Her project, titled 鈥淢editerranean Dreaming: Migration and Tourism in Maritime Cities,鈥 examines the transformation of these cities in the wake of rising migration, mass tourism, and grassroots protests asserting a 鈥渞ight to the city.鈥
鈥淭he idea of the 鈥榬ight to the city鈥 is that the city is for everybody, that everyone should have access to it,鈥 Musaraj said. 鈥淚t refers to people鈥檚 claim that they have a right to, for instance, public space, or public transportation or affordable housing.
Smoki Musaraj, Ph.D., at 滨尘茅谤补, the Institute for Advanced Study at Aix-Marseille University. Photo by Timoth茅e Andonian / 滨尘茅谤补.
During her research in Marseille, Musaraj witnessed many public events and gatherings that claimed the 鈥渞ight to the city.鈥
Musaraj explains that tourism was initially seen as an economic solution in these cities. Both Barcelona and Marseille were experiencing periods of decline until global events like the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and the celebration of Marseille as the European Capital of Culture in 2013 opened the way to transforming these cities into prominent tourist destinations.
However, while tourism revitalized the economies of these Maritime cities, it also placed a strain on local residents. Musaraj says the 鈥淎irbnb economy鈥 takes part of the blame.
鈥淵ou have this rise of tourism economy there that converges with other global forces, like the Airbnb phenomenon,鈥 she said. 鈥淎ll of these forces are creating conditions in the city for housing speculation, the raising of prices, and evictions that are happening because people can鈥檛 pay their rent.鈥
Musaraj adds that Barcelona was one of the first cities to experience massive protests against tourism after the financial crisis in 2008, a time when many residents鈥攑rimarily those in migrant or low-income neighborhoods鈥攚ere either evicted because they could not pay their rent or forced out of their neighborhoods as rent became more expensive.
Since then, foreign investment firms have bought thousands of homes in Barcelona and have evicted residents unable to pay rent, according to .
All of these forces are creating conditions in the city for housing speculation, the raising of prices, and evictions that are happening because people can鈥檛 pay their rent.
鈥淎irbnb started as [a couch surfing platform], and it was free [or very cheap] in the beginning 鈥 Then people started monetizing it,鈥 Musaraj said. 鈥淚t's turned into another form of hotel business, but it doesn't have a lot of regulation.鈥
Musaraj, whose background is in economic and legal anthropology, has conducted ethnographic research in Albania for over a decade. She also teaches a Mediterranean Studies course in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
awarded her a research fellowship in September 2023 due to her project鈥檚 unique focus on the future of Mediterranean cities.
Tourism is also transforming urban life in these cities. In December, Musaraj with other experts to discuss how these cities are dealing with challenges posed by mass tourism and migration.
While speaking with these cities鈥 residents, Musaraj found that many felt disconnected from their communities. In Barcelona, some said they no longer recognized their city.
鈥淪ome of the public spaces like the famous avenue called La Rambla that used to be frequented mostly by locals has actually become kind of invaded by tourists,鈥 Musaraj said. 鈥淭hey lament that this is not their city anymore. You don't see people that you recognize anymore; it's all this transient population.鈥
In some cases, these cities have attempted to curb the harmful effects of mass tourism. For instance, in September their plans to raise the city鈥檚 tourist tax over the next two years.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e trying to manage tourism through legislation, but there are also cases where people complain that the city doesn鈥檛 do enough,鈥 Musaraj said, referencing efforts made by local authorities and Barcelona鈥檚 former mayor, Ada Colau.
She added that city officials in Marseille plan to regulate the Airbnb economy after the upcoming summer Olympics, which is expected to bring a massive wave of tourists.
In the future, Musaraj hopes to continue her research into Barcelona and Marseille with the possibility of exploring other Mediterranean cities facing mass tourism and migration.
Musaraj is currently writing a chapter for an edited volume detailing her findings from both cities. Her goal is to look at patterns of governance and grassroots movements across cities in the region, rather than drawing generalizations about the Mediterranean space or culture.
鈥淚n anthropology and Mediterranean studies, there has been a break from thinking about the Mediterranean as universal,鈥 Musaraj said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not looking at unifying identities that are across the space but looking at movements, looking at hybrid identities and looking at some of the issues that are shared across the board.鈥