Nowhere human beings : a development analysis on displacement caused by gentrification in Tangjia Ling, Beijing

Abstract

Urbanization is irreversible and has proven to be the future of the world. What also comes in this process is the increasing number of the urban poor and growth of informal settlements as 1 in 4 people will be living in slums in recent future. How to properly handle informal settlements within their urban areas has become of vital importance for governments around the world, and is even more challenging for governments in developing countries. What is used most on dealing with informal settlements is gentrification, through which not only informal settlements are replaced by modern condos, but also local governments are able to receive large constant tax revenues. However, what is ignored in this process is resettlement and future livelihoods of the urban poor who are displaced, and the root cause of informal settlements is not tackled. The case of Tangjia Ling, Beijing, China is an example, as the previous informal settlements have been replaced by modern condos, while the wellbeing of the poor people affected was not properly taken care of. Similar cases take place around the world, as the governments ignore the marginalized groups and focus on economic benefits. This thesis is used to discuss the flaws of Beijing Municipal government in the process of gentrification. Detailed investigation, cooperation from the residents, and fairer mechanism of distributing compensation are required to avoid mass displacement brought by gentrification. The Beijing Municipal government has failed to incorporate these measures, which intensifies the difficulties of living of the affected groups.