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

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?