Fengqi Jiayuan, located at No. 1 Anningzhuang East Road in Qinghe Subdistrict, Haidian District, is the largest shared-ownership housing project in the district, with 2,848 residential units that have helped thousands of residents achieve stable housing. Building No. 8 was designated as a facility for elderly care and support services for people with disabilities, reflecting the expectations of local residents. However, during the implementation process, several issues emerged, and relevant authorities received complaints from residents. In response, the 4K ultra-high-definition program One Step Forward provided a platform for dialogue. Resident representatives, local government officials, and experts gathered to discuss possible solutions. The Deputy District Mayor of Haidian District conducted on-site research in the community, joined by international observers who participated in the visits and discussions, with a shared focus on the pressing public concern – elderly care services.
Why Located Within the Community, Yet Serving the Public?
Building No. 8 in Fengxi Jiayuan, located within the residential complex, is set to begin operations as a public service facility. Following the announcement, some residents raised questions regarding the usage and operational scope of Building No. 8. In response, Wu Kai, the Deputy District Mayor of Haidian District, visited Fengxi Jiayuan to address the concerns and facilitate coordination among various parties. During the communication process, the relevant departments provided clarifications on issues raised by residents, such as the community planning permits and the scope of services provided by the senior care station.
Unresolved Issues and Persistent Doubts
In discussions concerning the usage and operation of Building No. 8, some residents expressed doubts and concerns about the senior care station and the supportive home for people with disabilities. During the discussion, the host engaged in dialogue with the residents to address their questions. International observer Mr. Hector Villagran Cepeda, when asked about democratic voting in Chinese communities, shared two ancient proverbs, “minga” and “yapa,” which offered unique cultural insights into grassroots governance. Later, the director of the Fengxi Jiayuan Homeowners’ Committee also commented, emphasizing that with collective effort, any issues within the community can be resolved. The discussion then shifted to the scope of services and functional setup of the community’s senior care center. Deputy District Mayor Wu Kai took the stage to share his experiences from the ongoing discussions, directly addressing the challenges of grassroots governance and engaging in open communication with the residents. With Haidian District’s aging population on the rise, elderly care services have become a focal point of societal concern. Deputy Governor Wu stressed that creating “elderly care services at the doorstep” requires the joint efforts and support of the entire society. To effectively mitigate the “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) effect, multiple measures must be taken. First, regulatory requirements from various systems should be integrated. Second, public opinion should be widely solicited and fully understood. Third, during the construction of new communities, it is essential to prioritize the development of public facilities under the guidance of the overall planning, ensuring that these are clearly visible to the public to reduce misunderstandings. Additionally, the Deputy District Mayor showed his commitment to listening to public opinion and addressing community issues by exchanging WeChat accounts on the spot and becoming WeChat friends with resident representatives.
Can the Senior Care Station’s Operations Be Optimized?
China is making significant progress in developing embedded senior care services. What is the historical context behind this form of elderly care, and what are the pressing needs of the elderly in today’s society? To gain further insights, reporters visited several senior care stations in Haidian District, gathering crucial data and feedback. In response to concerns regarding the safety and use of Building No. 8 in Fengxi Jiayuan, Deputy District Mayor Wu Kai conducted an on-site investigation. Striking a balance between addressing residents’ legitimate concerns and fully leveraging the public service potential of the building has become an urgent challenge. As China faces an increasingly aging population, the demand for elderly care services grows every day. In this context, Beijing is actively advancing the upgrade of its elderly care systems—a practical move that not only meets public needs but also represents an innovative breakthrough that Chinese-style modernization made in people’s livelihood, providing valuable insights into addressing urban elderly care challenges.
Building No. 8 in Fengxi Jiayuan serves as a microcosm of the typical challenges faced in urbanization—balancing policies with public opinion, planning with reality, and public services with individual rights. The central discussion in this episode of One Step Forward goes beyond the specific issue of the building’s use; it prompts a broader reflection on the modernization of urban governance and the realization of the people’s aspirations for well-being. In this in-depth dialogue, government departments, experts, and community representatives gathered to engage in candid communication and rational consultation. This was not only to address the concerns surrounding Building No. 8 but also to showcase a vivid example of collaboration, participation and common interests in urban development. This process underscores the vitality of consultative democracy, marks the profound shift of urban governance from management to service, and offers valuable insights for other regions seeking to resolve similar conflicts and promote sustainable, high-quality urban development.
Media ContactCompany Name: Beijing Radio & Television StationContact Person: Xiaohui WangEmail: Send EmailCountry: ChinaWebsite: https://m.btime.com/
