Beyond the Dam: Involuntary Migration and Social Integration in the case of China's Danjiangkou Dam

• In Event: 20862 - Section on International Migration Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 8: Migration Experiences in East Asia

Abstract

Large-scale infrastructure projects frequently lead to involuntary migration, yet little is known about how different resettlement strategies influence identity formation, intergenerational adaptation, social cohesion, and other long-term integration outcomes. This study addresses this gap by examining the Danjiangkou Dam resettlement in China, where migrants were relocated through concentrated migration, dispersed migration, and onsite relocation. By analyzing these varied experiences, this study expands theoretical discussions on social integration, cultural adaptation, and migrant agency in involuntary migration contexts.
This research draws on qualitative interviews with first- and second-generation migrants and archival research from migrant museums and policy documents. Using a comparative approach, it assesses how different resettlement policies influenced integration across multiple generations. The Danjiangkou Dam case provides a rare opportunity to examine state-led resettlement in a controlled setting, offering comparative insights into long-term migration outcomes.
Findings reveal that dispersed migrants, integrated into local communities, achieved greater economic independence and social integration due to increased access to agricultural land and employment opportunities. In contrast, concentrated migrants, resettled in migrant-only settlements, maintained a strong collective identity but faced economic stagnation, resource conflicts, and social isolation. Onsite relocated migrants had mixed outcomes, benefiting from cultural continuity but often experiencing economic hardship due to inadequate infrastructure. Generational differences were also evident, as second-generation dispersed migrants exhibited weaker migrant identities and greater linguistic assimilation than their concentrated counterparts.
These findings challenge the assumption that economic support alone ensures integration, demonstrating that resettlement type fundamentally shapes migrant trajectories. This study calls for a re-evaluation of migration governance, advocating for policies that prioritize social cohesion alongside economic stability. With implications for climate-induced displacement, development-driven relocation, and conflict-driven resettlement, this research underscores the need for resettlement programs that promote sustainable integration and long-term well-being.

Author

• Qingyao Sun, Vanderbilt University