Abstract Urban-rural interactions are important features of spatial dynamics in Africa that have been affected by recent economic, social and cultural transformations. The attention of academics and policy-makers has concentrated on the impact of such mobility on rural actors and economies. Our objective is to consider the point of view of urban households and to analyse how they manage to develop and use their “rural connections”. The paper is based on in-depth qualitative fieldwork conducted in Cameroon, in Douala and Bafoussam. It presents an analysis of the configurations of urban resident mobility to rural regions. By mapping mobility we show the role of linkages with rural areas in urban household strategies. We also illustrate how a major city and a fast-growing secondary one differ in their connections with rural areas. The paper addresses what is one of the recurrent questions in the literature: will urban-rural linkages change in the long-term as the trend towards urbanization intensifies. Urban-rural mobility remains crucial, contributes to creating complex and dynamic networks. Collective connections are reaffirming the importance of the village and the region of origin. Mobility is a key element for many urban households in developing their urban position and strategies.

中文翻译：

---

城镇居民在他们的网络中：喀麦隆的城乡流动和家庭战略

摘要 城乡互动是非洲空间动态的重要特征，受到近期经济、社会和文化转型的影响。学术界和政策制定者的注意力集中在这种流动性对农村参与者和经济的影响上。我们的目标是考虑城市家庭的观点，并分析他们如何设法发展和利用他们的“农村联系”。该论文基于在喀麦隆、杜阿拉和巴富萨姆进行的深入定性实地调查。它分析了城市居民向农村地区流动的配置。通过绘制流动性，我们展示了与农村地区的联系在城市家庭战略中的作用。我们还说明了大城市和快速发展的次要城市在与农村地区的联系方面有何不同。该论文解决了文献中经常出现的问题之一：随着城市化趋势的加剧，城乡联系是否会在长期内发生变化。城乡交通仍然至关重要，有助于创建复杂和动态的网络。集体联系重申了村庄和起源地区的重要性。流动性是许多城市家庭制定城市定位和战略的关键因素。