Migration policy in large cities: expediency of development, content and priorities

Abstract

The article argues the necessity to increase attention to the implementation of migration policy in large cities and outlines the main areas of relevant activities. In Ukraine, as well as in the rest of the world, the largest cities are centers of attraction for both internal and external migrants. Rules on the arrival, residence of immigrants, access to the labor market, granting international protection, etc. are established by national law, but specific measures for their implementation take place at the local level. Despite this, the issue of migration is not always taken into account in urban development plans, and is often overlooked by local administrations. The need to develop measures to implement migration policy at the city level is due to the fact that the rapid pace of urbanization and migration, the intensity of which is increasing, pose new risks, but at the same time open new opportunities. The labor and intellectual potential of migrants, the ideas they bring and the money they invest are important factors in urban development. The importance of migration management in cities has grown especially due to the mass forced displacements caused by aggression of Russian Federation. The vast majority of the 1,5 million internally displaced persons forced to flee their former residence as a result of the events in Donbass in 2014 were city dwellers seeking refuge in cities. The concentration of the population in large cities will naturally increase during the recovery period after the end of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war, not only at the expense of Ukrainian citizens but also foreigners, specialists and workers who will be involved in rebuilding the economy. Migration management in large cities is not limited to the implementation of the functions delegated to them from the central level, it should be aimed at ensuring the rights of migrants, functional and cultural integration into the urban environment, and using the potential of migrants to develop cities and enrich and diversify urban life. Implementation of the migration policy at the city level should be developed in several key areas, the main of which are ensuring the human rights of migrants, creating conditions for their inclusion in the urban community. Achieving the goals of the migration policy in a large city involves an integrated approach, institutional and resource provision, close cooperation between local authorities, civil society, business and migrants themselves.