Details of the resettlement program for Peking University's northeast area
of campus will be announced Tomorrow, said Peking University
spokesman, Zhao Weimin, in an interview with the Beijing
News on Monday.
The demolition of one-storey houses, shanties and other
temporary buildings will make way for the construction of a new
international mathematics research center. It is anticipated that
this key development will assist the university to gain recognition
as one of the world's top seats of learning.
The resettlement program has been given the "green light" by the
State Administration of Cultural Heritage in Beijing. This has been
reported to Mayor Wang Qishan and the project now awaits his
signature.
This is the largest campus resettlement project since the
establishment of Peking University and covers three areas – the
Langrun and Jingchun gardens and Quanzhai Building. The two gardens
date back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The Quanzhai Building
was built in the 1920s by John Leighton Stuart, the first president
of Yanjing University, the predecessor of Peking University.
Concerns have been raised in some areas at the continued erosion
of the traditional layout of the campus.
"This resettlement project will not involve demolition of
ancient buildings," said Mr Zhao. "On the contrary it will restore
their original look. Cultural relics and their environment will be
preserved," he said.
The project is due for completion on January 9, 2007 and the
construction of the Beijing International Mathematics Research
Center is due to be finished by the end of the same year.
The University has entrusted Tsinghua
University School of Architecture to undertake the project.
Professor Lu Zhou of the Cultural Relic Protection and Design
Institute from the School of Architecture leads the team. The
University has setup a resettlement working group led by Vice
President Chen Wenshen.
A previous public notice indicated that a "resettlement
investigation" for residents would start after February 13.
However, this has been delayed by the winter holidays.
Zhao said further information on compensation and resettlement
arrangements for residents would be released at tomorrow's press
conference.
(China.org.cn by Li Shen, February 15, 2006)