Internal migrations as phenomenon of social mobility and territorial experience among architecture students, University of Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia

Abstract

Internal migration motivated by access to higher education is a relatively unexplored topic in Colombia, leading to a lack of data on its dimensions, characteristics, and impacts on urban space and the emotional conditions of migrants. For this reason, an academic program of architecture in a public university was selected to comprehend the internal migrations of students, exploring their territorial experiences, living conditions, and social mobility capacity. An exploratory methodology was designed to recognize the phenomenon through a descriptive analysis, utilizing institutional data, surveys, and interviews. The research identifies the primary reasons, barriers, and impacts experienced by the migrant population in Ibagué, Colombia. The study concludes with recommendations pertaining to both institutional and urban planning to address these identified challenges.