历史小径·世界史英语30篇（2）

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拔地而起的摩天楼，流动变迁的人生：城市化与农民工

China’s rapid urbanization since the 1980s drew millions of rural workers to cities seeking better wages.
These migrant workers built skyscrapers, subways, and factories but often lived in crowded dormitories without local hukou rights.
Without urban household registration, they faced barriers to healthcare, education for their children, and stable housing.
Their labor fueled economic growth, yet their social integration remained incomplete and legally fragile.
Government policies gradually expanded access to public services, though disparities between urban and rural residents persist.
Migrant communities formed informal networks that sustained cultural identity amid urban anonymity and economic pressure.
Seasonal return migration remains common, reflecting both opportunity and exclusion in China’s dual-track system.
This movement reshaped family structures, as many children stayed behind in villages with grandparents.
Urban planning now increasingly considers inclusive infrastructure, recognizing migrants as essential urban citizens.
Their story illustrates how economic transformation intersects with institutional design and human resilience.