University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--Geography Geography 2014 BUYING A COLONIAL DREAM: THE ROLE OF LIFESTYLE MIGRANTS IN THE GENTRIFICATION OF THE HISTORIC CENTER OF GRANADA, NICARAGUA Abigail Foulds University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Foulds, Abigail, "BUYING A COLONIAL DREAM: THE ROLE OF LIFESTYLE MIGRANTS IN THE GENTRIFICATION OF THE HISTORIC CENTER OF GRANADA, NICARAGUA" (2014). Theses and Dissertations--Geography. 18. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/geography_etds/18 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Geography at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--Geography by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STUDENT AGREEMENT: I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. 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Abigail Foulds, Student Dr. Susan Roberts, Major Professor Dr. Patricia Ehrkamp, Director of Graduate Studies BUYING A COLONIAL DREAM: THE ROLE OF LIFESTYLE MIGRANTS IN THE GENTRIFICATION OF THE HISTORIC CENTER OF GRANADA, NICARAGUA DISSERTATION A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Geography in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Abigail Foulds Lexington, KY Director: Dr. Susan Roberts, Professor of Geography Lexington, KY 2014 Copyright © Abigail Foulds 2014 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION BUYING A COLONIAL DREAM: THE ROLE OF LIFESTYLE MIGRANTS IN THE GENTRIFICATION OF THE HISTORIC CENTER OF GRANADA, NICARAGUA This dissertation aims to expand our understanding of how lifestyle migrants from the Global North impact the urban space of a Global South city, particularly the built environment. In order to situate the questions posed in this dissertation, I focus on how lifestyle migrants from the Global North and their foreign capital transform the city of Granada, Nicaragua through processes of gentrification, and how the social and economic climate of the city and its residents are impacted. This research allows for empirically informed theoretical critiques to be made about the economic and social implications of the globalization of gentrification resulting from heterogeneous lifestyle migration. The property markets in many Global North locations, most notably the US, have pushed lifestyle migrants to look abroad; gentrification has gone international, spreading to the Global South. For reasons such as affordability and proximity to the US and Canada, many Global North property-buyers are looking to the colonial historic city center of Granada, Nicaragua as a site for relocation and investment. These migrants are purchasing and remodeling colonial-style homes as part of a broader transformation of the historic center to cater to international tourism and elite consumption. Many lifestyle migrants involved in the gentrification processes occurring in Granada are choosing transnational lifestyles by maintaining citizenship in their home countries, and simultaneously engaging in economic and social relationships in both Nicaragua and their home (or other) countries. The advantages that accompany their positions as migrants from the Global North greatly affect the lifestyle migrants’ roles in the transformation of the city, regardless of their own personal social and economic status at home. Many lifestyle migrants embrace a role of economic and social developers, and often enact a racist and neocolonialist understanding of the Nicaraguan people and culture as needing “improvement”. Lifestyle migrants are generally able to benefit from capital accumulated in Global North markets and their Global North citizen status enables them to live a mobile, transnational lifestyle. Such economic and mobility opportunities are unavailable for many Nicaraguans, further exacerbating the inequalities between local Nicaraguan residents and privileged lifestyle migrants. KEYWORDS: lifestyle migration, gentrification, Nicaragua, tourism, expatriates Abigail Foulds February 8, 2014 BUYING A COLONIAL DREAM: THE ROLE OF LIFESTYLE MIGRANTS IN THE GENTRIFICATION OF THE HISTORIC CENTER OF GRANADA, NICARAGUA By Abigail Foulds Dr. Susan Roberts Director of Dissertation Dr. Patricia Ehrkamp Director of Graduate Studies February 8, 2014 Date For my wonderful mother Jane Beveridge Campbell Foulds June 2, 1948-February 25, 2008 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation has been a long labor of love, and would not have come to completion without the support of many wonderful people. First, I want to thank all the gringos in Granada who willingly offered their time, thoughts, and help to make this research possible. I also want to thank the Granadinos who are always so warm, hospitable, and helpful to me, and who make Granada a wonderful place. Big thanks to Bosco Morales, my translator, ally, and friend. Many thanks to the always helpful, patient, and kind Julio Moncada, who honors my mother with his dedication to the Nicaragua Butterfly Reserve. Thanks, too, to Geno Rooks. I want to thank Penn Garvin, who not only offered invaluable wisdom about Nicaragua, but also offered her love and encouragement when I needed it most. I also want to thank Elaine Herald for her love and support. Thanks to Dr. Chris Coggins of Simon’s Rock College, who introduced me to geography, a discipline which aligns with how I view the world, and for his continual support and encouragement. I want to thank Dr. Patricia Documet for helping me get back on track with the dissertation and for welcoming me into my new academic home at the Evaluation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh, along with Todd Bear, Dr. Ed Ricci, and Dr. Beth Nolan. I want to thank Dr. Sue Roberts for her invaluable insights and patience as my advisor, as well as to my helpful committee members Dr. Patricia Ehrkamp, Dr. Rich Schein, Dr. Susan Larson, and Dr. Michael Samers. Many thanks to all the faculty and staff in the University of Kentucky’s Geography Department. Thanks also to Dr. Francine Chassen-Lopez of the History Dept, and Dr. Karen Tice of Gender and Women’s Studies and Education. iii This research was made possible due to the support of the University of Kentucky’s Graduate School and Geography and Latin American Studies Departments. I am very thankful for their support. I am very thankful for the camaraderie and friendship of my fellow graduate students, including Chris Blackden, Liana Vasseur, Garrett Graddy, Juli Hazlewood, Karen Kinslow, Priyanka Jain, John Benitez, Deborah Thompson, Candice Wallace, Maggie Walker, Taro Futamura, Lauren Martin, Lisa Rainey, and many others. Many, many thanks to David Walker who was a wonderful source of knowledge and encouragement throughout the whole dissertation process. I couldn’t have done it without his invaluable pep talks and support. Many more thanks to Jessi Schmid, whom I simply adore, and who has been my ally, confidante, intellectual sparring partner, and fellow traveler and geography nerd. Thanks to Dan Malakoff for his edits, and for his timeless friendship. I also want to thank my wonderful friends Sara Farkas, Greg Hamilton, Azi Masalehdan Block, Elaine and Dave Schmid, Courtney Chorba, Fiona Yankevich, Bren Salamon, Isaac Hirt-Manheimer, and Anna Goodman-Herrick. Thanks to my dad, Jerry Foulds, and my brother, Alex Foulds, for their love, encouragement, and support given in many, many ways. Thanks to my wonderful mother who was a great role model and the best cheerleader a daughter could have. Finally, thanks to Ivan Perez, the love of my life, for everything. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................................... III LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................................................... IX LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................................