China's Booming Construction Industry

New high-rises are begun almost daily as displacement, housing and property rights remain large concerns.

1 minute read

October 25, 2003, 1:00 PM PDT

By David Gest


China is experiencing a nationwide boom in the construction industry, providing hundreds of thousands of jobs, and displacing thousands of residents whose homes stand in the way of new high-rises. "More than 100,000 urban dwellers in Beijing have been displaced by massive projects." Property rights laws remain "primitive...property carries a 70-year lease rather than outright ownership. Land remains owned by the state...On Sept. 25, an unemployed 35-year-old Beijing man set himself afire in protest when his family was forced out of their home by redevelopment." Corruption and controversy abound as the country prepares for the 2008 Olympics.

Thanks to David Gest

Friday, October 24, 2003 in Knight Ridder Newspapers

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing