Exploring the Relationship Between Population Dynamics, Migration Patterns, and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in Butuan City, Philippines: A Resource-Based Theory Perspective

This study explores the interconnection between population dynamics, migration patterns, and sustainable socio-economic development in Butuan City, Philippines, using the Resource-Based Theory (RBT) and Demographic Transition Theory (DTT) as guiding frameworks. Employing a mixed-methods explanatory research design, the study combines quantitative data from 154 respondents across government, private, and academic sectors with qualitative insights from 51 focus group discussion participants. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis reveal that migration is a primary driver of Butuan’s population growth, exacerbating pressures on housing, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Though migration correlates positively with economic activity, it also exposes inequities in spatial planning and labor market inclusion. A proposed Urban Resilience Framework rooted in RBT and supported by DTT emphasizes the importance of strategically leveraging human capital, institutional capacity, and geographic assets to convert demographic growth into equitable development. The findings underscore the need for inclusive, data-driven governance that integrates demographic trends into urban planning.