BEIJING - China's capital is to destroy swathes of ancient courtyard homes surrounding a 13th-century landmark in what is being called an effort to preserve Beijing's historical legacy, residents said Friday.
Large numbers of hutong homes, some of them dating back to the Qing dynasty, will be demolished around the Drum and Bell Towers -- a tourist hotspot in Beijing's historic centre -- to make way for a large plaza, they said.
Notices for the "destroy and evict" project are plastered throughout the quarter, dated Wednesday and saying the work was due to be completed by February 24.
Besides protecting the historic legacy of the capital, the project is also aimed at restoring and repairing old and dilapidated buildings, the notices said.
Forced evictions are a major source of unrest in China. Ordinary citizens routinely accuse local officials and developers of cashing in on a property boom by clearing away longstanding residents to pave the way for new projects.
Destroying old homes in central Beijing has particular sensitivity. Critics say new development projects rob the capital of its cultural legacy.
"We have been hearing this was going to happen for years, but now that the notices are up there is not much you can do but leave," said souvenir shop seller Ma Yong.
"When I first saw the notices I felt nothing but despair."
Besides having her rented shop torn down, Ma's small home nearby, where she lives with her retired husband, will also be flattened.
Residents must negotiate compensation with the newly set up "destroy and evict" office near the Bell Tower, with compensation beginning at around 40,000 yuan (US$5,800) per square metre.
Between 130 and 500 homes are to be destroyed, state press reports said.
Officials refused to answer questions when approached by AFP.
"A lot of people are opposed to the campaign, 40,000 yuan per square metre is too cheap, especially with the price of housing in Beijing sky-rocketing," said the manager of a coffee shop near the Drum Tower, who gave her surname only as Wang.
"People are already asking for 150,000 yuan per square metre," she said.
Others said they were happy with the compensation.
"We took the money," said Zhou Li, 51, who was to move out to the suburbs with his elderly parents this weekend after living most of his life near the Bell Tower.
- AFP/ir
Bell tolls for Beijing's Drum Tower homes
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Bell tolls for Beijing's Drum Tower homes
