Beijing spends US$81 bln to transform shantytowns
- By Zhang Lulu
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E-mail China.org.cn, August 3, 2013
Narrow alleys, ramshackle houses, overcrowded rooms; all these make up the rundown Yuzhouhong (literally “Universe Red”) shantytown situated in western Beijing. When it rains heavily, like it did Tuesday night, residents have to take out planks and use quilts to barricade their doors and prevent the rainwater from rushing into their below-alley-level rooms. This does not always turn out to be successful, though.
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Yuzhouhong (literally “Universe Red”) shantytown, like many other in the downtown area of Beijing, is dingy and old. [photo by Zhang Lulu/China.org.cn] |
Places like Yuzhouhong can be found in another 526 areas of the main districts located within the city’s Fourth Ring Road. According to an investigative survey conducted by the Beijing municipal government, there are 230,000 households, or 700,000 residents living in and suffering from the Penghuqu (or shantytowns) in the capital’s downtown areas.
The city will spend 500 billion yuan (US$81 billion) over the following five years to transform the 527 shantytowns, according to a press release from the Beijing Municipal Commission for Housing and Urban-Rural Development on July 24.
Yuzhouhong, which belongs to the Baiwanzhuang West neighborhood in the city’s Xicheng District, comprises of more than 30 households (and more than 70 people). According to Ms. Fan, a 50-year-old resident who has been living in this area since her childhood, most of the residents are eager to have their houses redeveloped.
“Of course we want the houses to be redeveloped. But we have to see what the plan will look like.” They have a lot on their mind at the moment: What will the final project turn out to be? When will it begin? Will they be offered a house in the same spot or will they be moved to the suburban areas?
According to a report by state-run People’s Daily on July 29, the project will try to resettle the residents in their old spots. Houses will be renovated, entire courtyards may be moved to other places to enlarge the living space or new houses will be built on their original location. Should residents be relocated, their new location will be situated near subway or bus stations and in places where facilities are adequate.
Ms. Fan said she and most of neighbors wish to resettle in their original locations, yet this remains something she can only hope for. “Of course I want to stay here. Everybody does. But I cannot afford it if resettlement expenses round up to more than 200,000 yuan. I was laid off years ago, and have elderly, vulnerable parents to look after. My kid has just finished college. It is really hard.”
Mr. Gu, 80, maintains that he wants to stay in the same place. “What we elderly care about, is the health treatment we can get. I could have died more than once had I been living in the faraway suburban districts.” Yuzhouhong, though shabby and shanty, lies near three quality hospitals.
The neighborhood office has finished a preliminary research and project plans are underway, according to a neighborhood official.
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