Homes near 13th-century towers to be demolished
Source: Xinhua |
December 31, 2012, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE government is about to demolish rows of shaky residential buildings surrounding a 13th-century landmark in the heart of historic Beijing.
Government officials said the overhaul is to restore the beauty of Beijing's Drum and Bell Towers, which acted as a signature timepiece for three dynasties since 1272.
The landmark consists of two towers, one housing a huge bell, the other a drum. The bell was struck at dawn, while the drum announced sunset to tell the time.
It lies on Beijing's historic central axis, which also holds Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City.
The whole Drum and Bell Towers area has shrunk from 14,000 square meters originally to less than 4,000 square meters now, as the past four decades have seen the land surrounding the structures used for poorly built, normally one or two-story courtyard houses, the officials said.
"There are so many shaky homes, all illegally constructed and susceptible to fire," said Jin Hui, a spokesman for the district of Dongcheng.
Li Guanghui, deputy head of the district government's housing bureau, said 136 families in the area are being asked to move. Evacuees will be resettled in newer residential apartments, receive cash compensation, and an additional 170,000 yuan (US$27,200) bonus if they move early.
But demolition in Beijing, especially at or around ancient landmarks, can cause controversy. In 2007, the face-lift of Qianmen Street, which also lies on the central axis, triggered outcry from preservations. The street reopened as an upscale commercial center built in the original style to retain the air of old Beijing.
Government officials said the overhaul is to restore the beauty of Beijing's Drum and Bell Towers, which acted as a signature timepiece for three dynasties since 1272.
The landmark consists of two towers, one housing a huge bell, the other a drum. The bell was struck at dawn, while the drum announced sunset to tell the time.
It lies on Beijing's historic central axis, which also holds Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City.
The whole Drum and Bell Towers area has shrunk from 14,000 square meters originally to less than 4,000 square meters now, as the past four decades have seen the land surrounding the structures used for poorly built, normally one or two-story courtyard houses, the officials said.
"There are so many shaky homes, all illegally constructed and susceptible to fire," said Jin Hui, a spokesman for the district of Dongcheng.
Li Guanghui, deputy head of the district government's housing bureau, said 136 families in the area are being asked to move. Evacuees will be resettled in newer residential apartments, receive cash compensation, and an additional 170,000 yuan (US$27,200) bonus if they move early.
But demolition in Beijing, especially at or around ancient landmarks, can cause controversy. In 2007, the face-lift of Qianmen Street, which also lies on the central axis, triggered outcry from preservations. The street reopened as an upscale commercial center built in the original style to retain the air of old Beijing.
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