Neighbourhood-scale public spaces, inter-group attitudes and migrant integration in Beijing, China

Abstract

Cities worldwide face the challenge of persistent social polarisation that is exacerbated by the mass migration of populations. Scholars have debated whether the planning of public spaces, which presumably fosters inter-group encounter, potentially reduces prejudice against minorities such as migrants, and eventually promotes social inclusiveness. This research uses a large-scale questionnaire survey conducted in 36 neighbourhoods (estates) in Beijing, China, combined with field observations and interviews, to investigate whether the presence, perception and use of neighbourhood-scale spaces of encounter are relevant in predicting residents’ attitudes towards migrant social inclusion, particularly with respect to equal access to citizenship and government welfare. Qualitative and quantitative analyses found that residents’ inclusiveness attitude is less associated with the physical presence of public spaces and facilities in the neighbourhood, and more with actually using such spaces for neighbourly encounters in daily life. The findings echo recent critiques of the romanticised view of public spaces for urban encounters, and suggest that neighbourhood planning of public spaces should incorporate elements from social projects that facilitate meaningful interaction between native and migrant residents to achieve the goal of building an inclusive city.

Neighbor interactions and settlement intentions of African Migrants in urban China: A case study of Guangzhou

“…The other type of neighbor relations, namely, affective neighboring relations, refers to perceptions, attitudes or affections towards neighbors, involving feelings ranging from familiarity, amity or friendliness to those of mutual trust. To date, existing studies have paid considerable attention to the positive roles of neighbor interactions in mitigating prejudices, increasing place attachment and promoting social cohesion (Z. Liu et al, 2020; Mann, 1954; Nielsen & Smyth, 2011; Putnam, 2007; Z. Wang et al, 2017). However, less focus has been placed on the effects of neighbor relations on migrants' inclinations to permanently settle in host cities.…”

Understanding the intergroup relations of migrants in China

“…Until recently, there have been a small body of related studies, but few have actually focused on migrants' relations with local residents (Gu et al, 2016;J. X. Li & Tong, 2020;Z. Liu et al, 2020;Z.…”

“…Wang et al, , 2017b. Several studies have scrutinised the perceptions of or attitudes towards social integration (L. Liu et al, 2018;Z. Liu et al, 2020).…”

“…There has been a handful of research related to or directly focusing on the social relations between migrants and locals in the Chinese cities, but the intergroup relations research from the perspective of migrants is still scarce. Several studies have compared migrants' and urban locals' perceptions of or attitudes towards social integration (L. Liu et al, 2018;Z. Liu et al, 2020).…”

Neighborhood social capital and self-rated mental health: Disparities between migrants and native residents in Beijing

“…Immigrants often are segregated in enclaves with truncated social ties and supporting system (16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Even when living in the same neighborhood, immigrants remain largely marginalized from the mainstream society in their everyday lives (21)(22)(23). For immigrants, living in a mixed neighborhood with urban natives does not necessarily guarantee equal access to, nor fully utilize, the "stock" of neighborhood social capital as local neighbors to maintain mental health (21,24).…”