Temporarily Welcome – An investigation of the links and impediments between the restrictive turn in migration policy and the transformation to a socially sustainable and inclusive society

The implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies lies at the core of the construction of peaceful and inclusive societies and cities.

But how should migration policies be framed to best promote such development?This project focuses on the links and impediments between different types of migration policies and refugee inclusion. The project focuses on Sweden, a country which often is associated with open and inclusive migration policies.

However, in the aftermath of the so-called “European migration crisis” in 2015 and 2016, Sweden suddenly changed its policy approach.

Over a day, migration policy in Sweden changed from an inclusionary to a restrictive approach more in line with the European standard.This project uses the swift change of regulations in an innovative design to identify two groups of refugees that were granted residence in the same time but were affected and unaffected by the restrictive change.

Focusing on these groups, a few novel and unique data sources are introduced and developed to assess the influence of the change on refugees’ inclusion and well-being.The project is embedded in three prominent interdisciplinary research environments which specialise in housing, migration, and local studies.

Overall, the project will generate critical knowledge that is necessary for the realisation of the 2030 agenda and to implement well-managed migration policies, not least in the aftermath of the now prevailing pandemic crisis.