Construction of a controversial US$600 million television
center, which has been halted for nearly one and half a years, will
go ahead beginning September 21 despite macroeconomic tightening
that has resulted in Beijing's axing plans for five proposed sports
venues.
The site finally chosen to be the new home of China Central
Television (CCTV) is located in a busy commercial area near the
World Trade Center in Beijing's Central Business District (CBD) and
will cover an area of 187,000 square meters, according to Chen
Gang, head of the city's Chaoyang District.
Construction of the tower -- the tallest in Beijing -- designed
by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, was originally scheduled to begin
in March last year, but was held up for reasons not disclosed to
the public. A formal ceremony celebrating the laying of the
foundation stone, originally scheduled for September 1, 2003, was
canceled.
Fears of traffic congestion around the 230-meter-tall structure,
which comprises two L-shaped towers joined high above the ground in
a gravity-defying arch, were considered to be a main reason for the
delay.
Many people, including several renowned academicians, said the
project, which locals have dubbed the "Twisted Donut" -- would
worsen the traffic situation in the CBD. The area is already
crammed with high-rises and its highways are infamous for their
resemblance to huge parking lots during rush hours.
Chen justified the plan, however, saying that based on the
average population density of the CBD, the area surrounding the
proposed new television building can handle 50,000 employees. The
number of working staff at the new site will be only 10,000, and
the floor space as designed will be 550,000 square meters,
according to Chen.
Some say the building will be large enough to house ten
television stations.
Also, he said, since CCTV operates 24 hours a day, any
additional traffic will be distributed evenly throughout the day
and will not impose a new burden during rush hour.
Unnamed sources at CCTV said the central government's efforts to
curb overzealous investment?are probably another main reason
for the construction delay.
In recent weeks, Beijing municipal government leaders have been
talking about hosting a "frugal" Olympic Games in 2008, and leaders
have been tightening purse strings on construction projects.
(China Daily, China.org.cn September 13,
2004)?????????????????????????????????