Migrants Social Integration in Urban China Yu Chen

Migrants’ Social Integration in Urban China Yu Chen School of East Asian Studies 22/10/2014

Research Interests: Urban development, Rural-to-Urban Migration, Labour and Housing markets Rural-urban migration Labour Market Housing

Migrants’ social integration in urban neighbourhoods � The largest migration wave in human history ◦ Over 200 million migrants, 75% rural migrants � Questions ◦ To what extent are migrants integrated in the local urban society? ◦ What are the determinants of their social integration? � Data ◦ A survey of migrants from twelve urban neighbourhoods in Shanghai in 2012 � Methods ◦ Structural equation model

A structural equation model Demographic characteristics Occupational status, income Social Integration Housing characteristics Social networks Place of origin Participate in community activities Accustomed to social norms Connected with local community

Online social network sites and social integration �Rapid development of the internet and mobile technologies �New opportunities to obtain information and expand social networks �Theory: the digital divide �Questions ◦ How do migrants use online social network sites in their daily life? ◦ To what extent do their use of social network sites facilitate their social integration in a Chinese city?