Those people who refuse to move from their homes to make way for
large-scale urban developments have earned themselves the name
dingzihu, which literally means nailed households.
Behind this phenomenon is the conflict between the pursuit of
interests by real estate developers and residents' struggles for
fair compensation for the loss of their properties.
It is only natural that real estate developers aim to get
maximum profits. It is also only natural that the government should
protect the interests and rights of residents.
The latest scheme announced by the Beijing municipal government
which encourages residents in the inner-city areas of the capital
to move to the suburbs best represents the people-centered
principle reiterated time again by the central authorities to map
out fair policies concerning urban residents' livelihoods.
Preferential policies including financial aid is offered to
those residents who want to move out of the inner-city area, so
they can buy affordable housing. They too can also be given
government subsidies for rent. People who choose to stay will also
be assisted by the government to renovate their old courtyard
houses.
Rather than forcing residents to move out of their old homes for
real estate developments, the new scheme grants residents the right
to make their own choice. This is where the scheme is different
from other large-scale real estate development projects of the
past.
Such a scheme kills two birds with one stone. Without the
involvement of real estate developers, residents will get real
benefits, the choice to move to the suburbs or not.
Also, when some residents move out of the inner-city areas, it
would be much easier to better protect the old traditional style
courtyards known as siheyuan.
What is even more significant is the long-term effect such a
scheme will have on the model of urban renovations. Old city areas
will be protected and low-income residents will have the
opportunity to improve their living conditions.
There is no denying that the questionable role real estate
developers have played in urban renovations in the past
decades.
There has also been a lack of due attention from relevant
government departments on the well-being of evacuated low-income
residents and on the random and sometimes brutal demolition of
housing by developers.
This has not only intensified conflict between residents and
developers, but also resulted in the damage of cultural relics.
(China Daily January 8, 2008)