International Migration and Socio-Spatial Dynamics in the Tunisian Sahel: The Case of the Town of Sayada

Renommé comme étant l’un des foyers migratoires les plus importants du Sahel central tunisien, la ville de Sayada est le théâtre de nombreuses dynamiques socio-spatiales dopées par les incidences de la migration internationale. En effet, la ville de Sayada a connu des vagues migratoires selon des rythmes et des calendriers divers, portées par des objectifs variés. Le paysage socio-économique et socio-culturel de Sayada est largement marqué par l’émigration internationale. Les jeunes s’identifient à ce phénomène. Il est l’objet de construction de sociabilités et de relations sociales portées par l’émigration internationale. Ainsi depuis peu de temps, des hommes et des femmes de tout âge et de toutes situations et conditions socio-économiques confondues s’attachent à l’idée de l’émigration. Des stratégies et des logiques de toutes natures agissent et donnent naissance à une mobilisation sociale (pratiques matrimoniales, une effervescence familiale autour du projet migratoire, un rôle très actif des femmes). Les transformations socio-spatiales et socio-professionnelles que connaît la ville sont en rapport direct avec l’émigration internationale. Le tissu immobilier et la morphologie de la ville connaissent des mutations profondes dues essentiellement aux remises migratoires dans l’économie urbaine. Elles ont généré des changements économiques et sociaux sur différentes phases temporaires.Poznat kao jedno od najvažnijih migracijskih središta u središnjem tuniskom području Sahela, grad Sayada mjesto je velike društveno-prostorne dinamike na koje sve jače utječu međunarodne migracije. Sayada je, zapravo, svjedok migracijskih valova prema različitim ritmovima i kalendarima uzrokovanim različitim ciljevima. Društveno-ekonomski i društveno-kulturni krajolik Sayade uvelike je obilježen međunarodnom migracijom. Mladi ljudi poistovjećuju se s tim fenomenom. To je područje na kojemu međunarodna migracija potiče stvaranje društvenih odnosa i društvenost. Društveno-prostorne promjene i društveno-profesionalne transformacije kojima Sayada svjedoči izravno su povezane s međunarodnom migracijom. U posljednjih nekoliko godina upravo je ideja emigracije privukla muškarce i žene različite dobi i iz različitih društveno-ekonomskih položaja i kategorija. Strategije i razne logike djeluju i potiču društvenu mobilizaciju (bračna praksa, golemi obiteljski koncerni kao rezultat migracijskoga plana, aktivna uloga žena). Društveno-prostorne i društveno-profesionalne promjene koje su se desile u gradu neposredno su povezane s međunarodnim migracijama. Nekretnine i morfologija grada prolaze kroz duboke promjene, koje su ponajprije posljedica migracijskih doznaka uloženih u gradsko gospodarstvo, a proizvele su ih ekonomske i društvene trans¬formacije u različitim vremenskim fazama.Known as being one of the most important migratory homes (centers) in the central Tunisian Sahel, the town of Sayada is a space of numerous socio-spatial dynamics, increasingly influenced by the effects of the international migration. In fact, Sayada has witnessed migratory waves according to diverse rhythms and calendars caused by various aims. The socio-economic and socio-cultural scenery of Sayada is largely marked by international emigration. The young identify with this phenomenon. This is a field in which the making of social relationships and sociabilities has been promoted by the international emigration. As a matter of fact, men and women of different ages and from different socio-economic situations and categories, have been attached for some years to the idea of emigration. Strategies and logic of various kinds act and give rise to social mobilization (matrimonial practices, huge family concerns resulting from the migratory plan, an active role for women). The socio-spatial changes and socio-professional transformations that Sayada witnesses are directly related to the international emigration. Real estate issues and the morphology of the town witness deep changes, as an essential result of the migratory gains invested in the urban economy. They are generated by the economic and social transformations in different time phases