African migrants' agency and the emergence of new transient urban spaces in Guangzhou and Foshan, China

The migration of African traders to Guangzhou, located in Southeastern China, started in the 1990s and has ever since been increasing. During the last years the neighbouring city of Foshan has become a second center of African migration. The aim of this contribution is to demonstrate how the dynamics and complexity of processes in and between the two cities as well as regional, national and global conditions and developments are influencing this new migration flow and how new types of urban spaces emerge as a consequence. Urban development aims, their interpretation and implementation at various levels are considered, together with the reactions, flexibility and adaption strategies of the migrants. Furthermore, this example highlights how global developments (e.g. global economic crisis 2008/2009, China’s entry to the WTO), national conditions (e.g. national immigration regulations, development strategies, hosting of major international events) and inter-urban competition and co-operation are interrelated and have diverse impacts on the migration flows. The analysis is based on a quantitative survey of 253 African migrants, four expert interviews and 14 qualitative interviews with African migrants.