During the ongoing urbanization drive, China's cities have more often than not put their image above the daily needs of local residents.

In the eyes of many city officials, broad, orderly streets bordered by skyscrapers are the symbol of modernity.

However, Shanghai, one of China's largest and most prosperous metropolises, has recently set a people-oriented example that other cities should put a priority on following.

Shanghai reportedly plans to reintroduce vendors' stands along its streets for the convenience of local residents.

Stalls selling various daily necessities used to line the streets close to residential areas in many Chinese cities. But during the country's massive urban renewal, local governments generally preferred to clear the streets by banning outdoor vendors.

The huge number of such vendors and the competitive prices and convenience they provide have made it difficult for local governments to get them off the streets. The cat-and-mouse game between law enforcers and vendors has become common throughout China.

It is estimated that Shanghai alone may have more than 50,000 street vendors.

Fortunately, after many years of rapid economic growth and urban construction, local officials realized that it might be better to standardize administration of such street stands rather than simply banning them.

The latest move to legalize such outdoor stands is good news for the vendors. More important, it shows that local officials better understand that people's lives are an important part of development goals.

Clearly, if the government can step up efforts to standardize the regulation of street vendors, increasing the conveniences of daily life need not come at the expense of the city's image.

Development is not just about economic growth. It is a process through which people's living standards can be substantially improved along with the quality of life. It is also a process for the government to improve its way of governing and serving the people.

(China Daily February 27, 2007)