Living at the edge of the capital city of Mongolia: capturing the socio-spatial aspects of Ger residents’ lived citizenship

Abstract

ABSTRACT Based on extensive ethnographic research into internal rural–urban migration dynamics and circumstances in Mongolia, this article discusses lived citizenship practices in the ger areas situated in the country’s capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Inspired by findings showing how newly-migrated residents conduct their citizenship individually as well as collectively in peri-urban and informal settlement environments, the study explores the socio-spatial aspects at stake in ger residents’ lived citizenship when residing at the edge of the capital city. We aim to identify the role of social work and public administration in the provision of resources and support, and we rely on a conceptual and analytical framework that captures the ‘matterscape, mindscape and powerscape’ of meaning-making processes in terms of symbolic boundaries and opportunities. The paper calls for a meaningful role for social work and public administration to support internally migrated residents, as they face numerous challenges and uncertainties.