Changing spatial inclusion of migrants in Chinese cities: How housing matters

Amid mass migration and socio-spatial segregation, social inclusion has been emphasized in urban policy agendas globally. While previous research has explored the inclusion of migrants or different educational groups, few studies have combined education, the important factor influencing housing access, with migration, to explore multi-dimensional inclusion. Drawing on the sixth (Year 2010) and seventh (Year 2020) population censuses and multi-source housing data at the subdistrict level in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, this study investigates migrants' spatial inclusion patterns considering their educational backgrounds and examines the spatially varying relations between inclusion and housing. The findings reveal that from 2010 to 2020, inclusive areas for both less-educated and educated migrants in the two cities experienced an outward expansion. While crowded housing hindered spatial inclusion, with the strongest effects usually observed in Guangzhou's central areas but shifting from Shenzhen's central areas to urban peripheries during 2010–2020, tenure mix facilitated it, particularly in the two cities' suburban areas. Guangzhou exhibited distinct institutional powers, with right-of-use housing contributing to higher inclusion. However, Shenzhen was significantly shaped by market forces, supplemented by institutional and informal influences, with commodity housing, affordable housing, right-of-use housing, resettlement housing, and urban villages related to different dimensions of inclusion in distinct areas. This study contributes to the discourse on social inclusion by broadening its dimensions and provides valuable insights for promoting inclusive cities through housing policymaking. • Inclusive areas in both cities experienced an outward expansion during 2010–2020. • The relationship between inclusion and housing is spatially varying. • Crowded housing impeded inclusion while tenure mix facilitated it. • Migrants' inclusion in Guangzhou was influenced by institutional arrangements. • Migrants' inclusion in Shenzhen was significantly shaped by market forces.