A Study on the Residential Behavior of Returned Rural Migrant Population in Western China
摘要
Explores the residential behavior and spatial living patterns of rural migrants who have returned to their hometowns in Western China. Focusing on family-level decision-making, the chapter examines how factors such as economic capacity, family composition, transportation accessibility, and local infrastructure affect the location choices of returnee households. It distinguishes between complete family reunification and fragmented settlement patterns, identifying a growing trend toward county-town concentration due to better services and job opportunities. Through logistic regression models and spatial analysis, the study reveals that education level, caregiving needs (for children or elders), and employment proximity are critical in shaping whether families live together and where they settle. It also points out emerging mismatches between job locations and housing, affecting the long-term stability of return settlement. The chapter emphasizes the importance of integrating family lifecycle needs into urban planning to ensure successful reintegration of returnee families into county-level towns.