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Growth of rural migrant enclaves in Guangzhou, China: Agency, everyday practice and social mobility

Author

Listed:
  • Ye Liu

    (Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, University of Lethbridge, Canada)

  • Zhigang Li

    (Sun Yat-sen University, China)

  • Yuqi Liu

    (University College London, UK)

  • Hongsheng Chen

    (Southeast University, China)

Abstract

Previous studies have attributed the proliferation of rural migrant enclaves in China’s large cities primarily to the constraints limiting migrants’ residential options. Through an ethnographic exploration of Xiaohubei , a migrant enclave with a high concentration of Hubei rural migrants and small-scale garment producers in Guangzhou, this paper sheds new light on the dynamics and implications of the migrant enclaves. It argues that rural migrants are actually active agents who develop a vibrant garment manufacturing cluster by establishing a flexible garment production system, embedding their business within the enclave and maintaining a nationwide translocal network. It also contends that the enclave provides a feasible path through which migrants can achieve social mobility and adapt themselves to the urban environment. This paper concludes with a plea to take into account the agency and everyday practice of rural migrants when understanding the migrant enclaves and a reflection on the existing large-scale and indiscriminate demolition of the enclaves.

Suggested Citation

  • Ye Liu & Zhigang Li & Yuqi Liu & Hongsheng Chen, 2015. "Growth of rural migrant enclaves in Guangzhou, China: Agency, everyday practice and social mobility," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 52(16), pages 3086-3105, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:52:y:2015:i:16:p:3086-3105
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098014553752
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Cathy Yang Liu & Lin Ye & Bo Feng, 2019. "Migrant entrepreneurship in China: entrepreneurial transition and firm performance," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 52(3), pages 681-696, March.

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