As the housing price continues to soar in recent year, the shortage of social housing becomes very prominent. Under huge public and media pressure, both central and local government put social housing provision as one of their top priorities. The British government meet the housing needs of the majority of residents via two major housing reforms. Nowadays, British government worked closely with a variety of stakeholders to provide social housing for people in need. UK's successful experience and failure could be beneficial to China's reform.
The objective of the project was:
- To raise the public's awareness of social housing issues and possible innovative solutions and encourage public participation via PR campaignTo increase understanding & knowledge of challenges and innovative social housing solutions in both UK and China amongst professionals in both countries via joint research project, workshops and forums.
- To build sustainable exchange networks in the area of social housing via scholars links
- To provide potential innovative social housing solutions based on UK's experience and lessons for the Chinese governments through advisory report and roundtable events
Our partner China Vanke Group is a successful leading Chinese real estate enterprise, which is not only marked by its business success but also efforts for social benefits. Vanke demonstrates its People-First value by involving in environmental protection, helping poor students back to school and also finding solutions for housing provision for low-income urban residents.
The project combined field study by a group of three Chinese scholars in China and the UK and academic research by a group of renowned scholars from both countries. Academic research focused on three topics, namely, social mixing, new community and the changing role of authorities in housing provision. The academic research were conducted by a dozen renowned scholars from both countries. Three Chinese scholars were also funded by the organizers to conduct fields study in both Guangzhou and London respectively for one month. They submitted a research report at the end of the field study. General public shared their views in the project blog at sina.com. A big conference was held at the end of the project, bringing policy-makers, practitioners and academics to share experience in Beijing.
The Project was from May to December 2007. For more information about the ending conference, please click here.
Over 150 journalists across the country attended the press conference in SZ.
Michael O'Sullivan, former British Council China Regional Director gave a keynote speech at the press conference.
Via our partner, we engaged senior central government officials. Mr. Jiang Wanrong, deputy director, Department of Housing and Real Estate, the Ministry of Construction attended the press conference
China-UK Comparative Study Conference on Housing Provision for Low-income Urban Residents in Beijing, 12 Dec 2007
Wang Shi, the Chairman of China Vanke Co. Ltd. chats with Jim Hollington, Director of the British Council Guangzhou
