Beyond the neighborhood: Spatial agency and multi-scale incorporation of migrant children in urban China

The integration of new-generation migrant children is pivotal for urban equity, particularly in China, where structural exclusions have evolved into subtler forms of socio-spatial segmentation. While existing research has examined institutional and cultural barriers, less attention has been paid to how children themselves actively engage with urban environments to pursue integration. This study addresses this gap by asking: How do migrant children behaviorally and emotionally interact with urban spaces across multiple spatial scales, and how does this shape their urban incorporation? We develop a multi-scale segmented spatial incorporation framework and apply a child-centered comparative sketch mapping method to analyze the behaviors and perceptions of 46 migrant and local children in Shenzhen’s Gangxia area. Results reveal that migrant children exhibit stronger objective spatial incorporation at the neighborhood level but face limited engagement at the district scale. Perceptually, while neighborhood elements evoke complex emotional negotiations, district-scale public parks and commercial zones emerge as crucial shared arenas that foster positive affective bonding across social backgrounds. These findings extend segmented incorporation theory by incorporating spatial and affective dimensions, shifting the focus from passive integration to dynamic, agentive negotiation. It calls for urban planning to transition toward mobility-dependent strategies that facilitate safe cross-scale accessibility and prioritize emotional well-being. By bridging individual spatial practices with broader institutional outcomes, this study provides a framework for designing inclusive, child-friendly cities.