Living in Two Worlds: Multi-Locational Household Arrangements among Migrant Workers in China

Authors

  • Einhard Schmidt-Kallert Technische Universität Dortmund, Faculty of Spatial Planning, Department of Spatial Planning in Developing Countries, August-SChmidt-Str. 6, 44227 Dortmund
  • Peter Franke Am Alten Stadtpark 67, 44791 Bochum

Abstract

In the past, the concept of multi-locality has hardly been applied to the study of livelihood strategies of migrant workers in China. The authors of this article present the findings of a research project in five selected rural-urban migration corridors in different parts of China. On the basis of qualitative interviews at both ends of the multi-locational households’ activity spaces, they were able to establish economic reciprocity, strategies for caring and the transfer of knowledge, values and beliefs at the household level. The multi-locational households – defined as units of joint planning – were found to be firmly embedded in informal social networks.

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Published

2012-11-30

How to Cite

Schmidt-Kallert, E., & Franke, P. (2012). Living in Two Worlds: Multi-Locational Household Arrangements among Migrant Workers in China. DIE ERDE – Journal of the Geographical Society of Berlin, 143(3), 263–284. Retrieved from https://die-erde.org/index.php/die-erde/article/view/16

Issue

Section

Research articles