8. The Development and Evolution of Shanghai’s Urban Migration Policy

This chapter delves into the transformation of Shanghai’s urban migration policy, from its early restrictive measures to its current service-oriented approach. It discusses the shift from controlling the floating population to attracting talent and providing comprehensive services. The chapter also examines the three stages of Shanghai’s migrant population management model: ‘comprehensive management, flexible mobility,’ ‘active management, active service,’ and ‘localized management, citizenship service.’ Additionally, it explores the current characteristics and challenges of Shanghai’s population control policy, including issues with the household registration system, inadequate safeguard measures, and the need for improved population information collection. The chapter concludes with strategies for enhancing population control in Shanghai, emphasizing the importance of a multi-sectoral collaborative management mechanism and a responsive financial allocation system.