City gets relocation right

Beijing's new policy reflects its consid-eration for residents: Relocation of residents from the old inner city area will not be compulsory and those who are not willing to move will have their old dwellings renovated.

Compared with the coercive and even barbarous demolition, which would often spark conflicts between residents and real estate developers or local governments, local governments and developers should always be respectful to the will of residents.

True, Beijing's inner area within the Second Ring Road is too crowded, with a total population of 1.8 million. A four-sided courtyard that used to accommodate only one family several decades ago is now shared by several. As a result, many of these traditional courtyards have been too densely packed to have their original appeal. Living conditions are also poor.