It helps me to survive, economically and socially: Urban village for migrants in Shanghai, China

With rapid urbanization in China, increasing number of labors from rural or less developed area gather into mega cities, Shanghai as a representative one. These domestic migrants are employed to take on most of the heavy, dangerous jobs in the city with much lower and less regular wages which are far less enough to pay for decent apartments. Under the existing household registration system and welfare institution, these migrants from outside are, to a great extent, excluded from local social insurance and housing subsidies in the cities they live and work in. Thus, with failure of both market and government, large number of migrants with limited income are dwelling in urban villages, one type of informal settlement with poor physical condition but low cost. John F. C. Turner defines housing in terms of the dwelling environment instead of structures and the value of a settlement lies in the relationship between man and environment. What is the relationship between migrants in Chinese mega city and their habitat? Or what do they get from the settlement? This paper applies Turner’s aspect to observe an urban village called Xiaoyujialong in Shanghai. With interview and observation material, it explores the development opportunity and social value for habitants attached to the habitat besides affordable housing and services. And thus, dilemma exists for migrant residents facing the demolition and reconstruction plan of the government developers.