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Sources of Migrant Housing Disadvantage in Urban China

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  • Weiping Wu

    (School of World Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284-2021, USA)

Abstract

The increasing level of labor mobility in China challenges the current population-management structure. In particular, recent reforms in urban housing provision seem largely to overlook the needs of the migrant population. In this paper I examine the sources of migrant housing disadvantage in cities. Specifically, I analyze the institutional and socioeconomic factors underlying migrant housing choice and conditions, and how these factors influence migrants differently from the locals. Data are drawn primarily from citywide housing surveys and interviews conducted in Shanghai and Beijing. The findings show that migrants make housing decisions based on whether they intend to settle in the cities, and market-related factors such as income and education have a significant, positive impact on migrant housing conditions. But more importantly, the general disadvantage experienced by migrants has much of its root in the institutional restrictions associated with the hukou system that outweigh the combined effects of socioeconomic factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Weiping Wu, 2004. "Sources of Migrant Housing Disadvantage in Urban China," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 36(7), pages 1285-1304, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:36:y:2004:i:7:p:1285-1304
    DOI: 10.1068/a36193
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Si-ming Li, 2000. "Housing Consumption in Urban China: A Comparative Study of Beijing and Guangzhou," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 32(6), pages 1115-1134, June.
    2. C Cindy Fan, 2001. "Migration and Labor-Market Returns in Urban China: Results from a Recent Survey in Guangzhou," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 33(3), pages 479-508, March.
    3. John Knight & Lina Song & Jia Huaibin, 1999. "Chinese rural migrants in urban enterprises: Three perspectives," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(3), pages 73-104.
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