How did COVID-19 pandemic impact the social integration process of poverty alleviation relocation? Insight from four rural communities

As China declared COVID-19 a “Category B disease,” marking the conclusion of a three-year pandemic prevention and control effort, rural communities—especially those involved in Poverty Alleviation Relocation (PAR) projects—have received limited research attention despite significant economic and psychological impacts. This study investigates how COVID-19 affected social integration between locals and migrants within these relocated rural communities. Using a PAR community typology based on spatial and demographic patterns, four types were identified: centralized, adjacent, enclave, and infill. Socio-spatial isolation indices assessed social and spatial isolation levels among migrants across three phases: 2019 (before the pandemic), 2021 (during the pandemic), and 2023 (after the pandemic). Comparative analysis across phases and community types revealed varying impacts of COVID-19 prevention measures. Key findings include: 1) COVID-19 temporarily enhanced social integration, with a V-shaped evolution in social isolation levels—an initial decrease followed by an increase. 2) Centralized communities demonstrated the most sustained integration, while adjacent and infill types were moderately affected in the short term, and enclave communities were the least affected. 3) Factors such as “inequality between inside and outside groups,” enhanced telecommunications, pandemic-related public activities, and spatial characteristics promoted interaction between locals and migrants. This study enriches the understanding of COVID-19's social impacts on vulnerable communities, offering insights for disaster risk assessment and sustainable development strategies in pro-poor communities.