Housing in China

Family life and homes are very important to the Chinese, which explains partly why housing is a serious issue in China .The Chinese government has been making sustained efforts to provide housing for its huge population.

In recent years, High-rise apartment buildings have sprung up all over china at an incredible rate. Such growth has never before been seen in China. Not only has the number of buildings increased, but the average living area has grown. In 1978the average living area per person in rural areas was 81. Square meters By 1990 that number had grown to 20.7 square meters. In urban areas living space grew from 3.6square meters to 10.6 square meters in 1990.As part of the government's effort to provide housing in large cities, rundown sections of the city are being renovated . Because the costs of such improvements are high and can not always be absorbed by the consumer, the government has designed housing projects for low-income families using public funds. The "Warm Home Project" in Beijing is an example.

Not only has the availability of housing increased, but the living conditions have improved. Most apartment buildings and individual homes now have electricity, central heating, and plumbing for kitchens and bathrooms. Housing for the better-off families often has hot water and air-conditionings. The coastal cities that in the past lacked such luxuries now have telephones and televisions.

As a result of the improvement in China's housing, the demand for accommodations has grown. In the past, apartment buildings were built and given to residents who paid a nominal rent. This practice, however, is changing, As part of the comprehensive economic system reform, urban housing system which can fit the socialist market system. With these reforms, the government will use the money from increases in rent to finance the construction of more apartment buildings for its population.