Taking matters into their own hands
Print Edition
Sometime the best way to get something done is to do it yourself.
That was what residents of a rundown apartment block in the Shanghai Kangcheng, in Minhang’s Xinzhuang Town, decided. Each household chipped in at least 3,000 yuan (US$453) to pay for an overhaul of their complex.
Yang Xiuzhi said when she first moved there in 2008, the building was dominated by renters and maintenance was poor. The apartment block deteriorated year by year.
Resident Yi Hongwei suggested that occupants create a WeChat group to air their grievances and unite in their desire for a better lifestyle.
“I proposed that we can overhaul the building, fix up the gates and install better security on our own,” Yi said. “Apart from three households who declined initially to participate because they are renters, all 43 households showed great support for the idea.”
The group raised 130,000 yuan. Yang opened a bank account for the money and was the project’s treasurer.
Residents took turns inspecting the building construction. The gates were changed to blast-resistant steel doors, and a security and video surveillance system was installed. Residents now need to scan an access card to use the elevator. The lift goes straight to the floor designated on the card without stopping. Deliverymen must confirm their identities via surveillance camera with the concierge to get inside.
“Some residents had doubts about the project,” Yang said. “But I was confident that they would be swayed when it was finished.”
The three rental households that at first declined to pony up any money later gave Yang their contributions. The 10,000 yuan left over in the kitty will be used as a public fund for building improvements.
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