????FUTIAN District’s 2 billion yuan (US$309 million) project to renovate the 15 existing urban villages started April 8. ????There are around 7,789 buildings in the 15 urban villages in Futian District. Population is over 900,000 with immigrant workers making up the majority. ????Work will start in six urban villages including Shangbu Village, Shixia Village and Shangsha Village. The project on 15 urban villages will be completed by the end of 2017. Upon completion of the project, gated community services will be made available in these “villages.” ????The overpopulated villages are home to social problems. Problems like public safety, environmental protection and potential terrorism are challenges faced by the district government in terms of urban management. ????“The social problems at these populated areas need to be dealt with urgently,” said Xiao Yafei, head of the district government, at the annual sessions of the district people’s congress and the district committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in February. ????A member of the Futian District Committee of the CPPCC, Zhou Wanxiong, raised the problems at the urban villages during a special penal session of urban management during the two sessions. ????“The streets at Xinzhou Village and Shawei Village are narrow and dark, but still a lot of vendors put up stalls to do business there,” said Zhou. “Some stores in the villages install cables on their own and use substandard gas cans.” ????Zhou suggested the district renovate the villages with urgent problems as a major livelihood projects. ????In a response to Zhou’s advice, Xiao said that the district government is mulling a comprehensive plan for all urban villages over the next two to three years. “We will invest 2 billion yuan renovating the urban villages,” said Xiao. ????Xiao said the district government will work with water affairs groups and the power supply administration to repair public service infrastructure, including water and gas. The urban villages’ public service will be reformed to meet the same standards as other residential communities outside of the villages, according to Xiao. ????The project entails improving old gas pipelines, updating fire security systems and repairing sports facilities. In particular, 90 percent of the households in the villages will be connected with gas and the plan will renew or add power supply facilities. ????Ancient buildings in the villages will be preserved, but rented apartments might be refitted, said Xiao. ????More mechanical multi-level parking lots will be constructed to offer parking spaces for residents. ????The project also aims to advance infrastructure at schools, in community health care centers and at hospitals. Five schools at Xinsha, Xinzhou and Gangxia villages will be renovated first. ????(Images: Page 7) ?? (Cindy Zhang) ???? | 