Central Squares: Guiding Rural Migrants in Planned Public Space

Abstract

This chapter explores the government’s pastoral guidance of migrants—especially skilled migrants—that is typically held in manufacturing town centers. Central squares of cities, towns, and villages are the preferred venues for government officials to guide migrants. The chapter examines the state’s guidance through the locally defined notion of suzhi, the political power of these squares, new governing programs and technologies, the role of government agents, and the effectiveness of their guidance. Finally, it concludes with an assessment of these guidance initiatives in villages and discusses the reasons for their failure.