Illegally-built shops in residential areas to be dismantled in Beijing

Speakers: Heyang, Ryan Price, and Niu Honglin

[Photo: Baidu.com] 

The People's Government of Beijing released a development guideline at the beginning of this year. It points out that Beijing will start dismantling illegally-built shops located on the first floor of residential buildings. Eventually, residential buildings in Beijing will be repaired to the original facade. 

After the first three months of carrying out this initiative, Xicheng district has torn down nearly 7000 illegally- constructed stores.    

Beijing, as the capital of China, has been suffering urban diseases for over a decade. A large number of apartments on the first floor in residential buildings have been illegally-reconstructed for commercial use. However, the majority of these reconstructions do not pass the building code, and some owners do not have qualified certificate to operate business. As time goes by, this kind of stores develops rapidly and out of control, which seriously disturbs the living condition of the neighborhood and also causes safety issues. 

It turns out to light that this initiative cuts both ways. A number of local residents support it, saying that it will be able to beautify Beijing and make it become a more enjoyable place to live. However, others argue that it will reduce business opportunities and Beijing may turn out to be an icy modern city. 

Listen to the show and find out if the benefits of this initiative outweigh the downsides.   

The audio clip is from Round Table, produced by CRI.