During the ongoing urbanization drive, China's cities have more
often than not put their image above the daily needs of local
residents.
In the eyes of many city officials, broad, orderly streets
bordered by skyscrapers are the symbol of modernity.
However, Shanghai, one of China's largest and most prosperous
metropolises, has recently set a people-oriented example that other
cities should put a priority on following.
Shanghai reportedly plans to reintroduce vendors' stands along
its streets for the convenience of local residents.
Stalls selling various daily necessities used to line the
streets close to residential areas in many Chinese cities. But
during the country's massive urban renewal, local governments
generally preferred to clear the streets by banning outdoor
vendors.
The huge number of such vendors and the competitive prices and
convenience they provide have made it difficult for local
governments to get them off the streets. The cat-and-mouse game
between law enforcers and vendors has become common throughout
China.
It is estimated that Shanghai alone may have more than 50,000
street vendors.
Fortunately, after many years of rapid economic growth and urban
construction, local officials realized that it might be better to
standardize administration of such street stands rather than simply
banning them.
The latest move to legalize such outdoor stands is good news for
the vendors. More important, it shows that local officials better
understand that people's lives are an important part of development
goals.
Clearly, if the government can step up efforts to standardize
the regulation of street vendors, increasing the conveniences of
daily life need not come at the expense of the city's image.
Development is not just about economic growth. It is a process
through which people's living standards can be substantially
improved along with the quality of life. It is also a process for
the government to improve its way of governing and serving the
people.
(China Daily February 27, 2007)