Transformation and Belonging: Analyzing the Dynamics of Property Choices among Rural Migrants Transitioning to Urban Middle-Class Identities in China During the 1990s

Abstract

This study articulates the transformative trajectory of rural migrants towards urban middle-class status in China during the notable period of the 1990s, placing a particular emphasis on the strategic significance of housing decisions within this metamorphosis. It meticulously examines the confluence of economic imperatives, social networks, and urban governance frameworks as pivotal determinants shaping the housing choices of these migrants, thereby facilitating or constraining their socio-economic mobility and integration into the urban milieu. Employing a robust qualitative methodology encompassing in-depth interviews and case studies, the research elucidates the nuanced interplay between individual agency and structural impediments in the pursuit of urban middle-class identity. This scholarly inquiry not only unveils the complex dynamics of social stratification and urbanization but also enriches the discourse on the socio-political implications of migration and housing policy in the context of China's rapid urban transformation. Through this lens, the study contributes to a more sophisticated understanding of the processes underpinning social identity formation and the reconfiguration of urban landscapes in developing economies.