Still a long way to "Better City, Better Life"

"The topic of my speech is: Worse City, Worse Life. – I know this is a little different from the Expo motto, but it’s my real experience from life."

Han Han is one of the most successful bloggers in the world. His blog has attracted more than 200 million clicks. He is an idol for the young generation in China not only because he is a famous author and race car driver, but also because he provokes the authorities. When he begins his speech with these words at an official event in the run-up to the Expo, all TV and radio coverage is cut off. After all, the motto of the Expo should be "Better City, Better Life".

But this has nothing to do with the reality, says Han Han. The real estate prices are soaring to unreachable heights. And many city dwellers are becoming so-called "mortgage slaves".

"Mortgage slaves"

The most popular TV series last year was called "Living like a Snail". The heroine lives with her husband in a tiny room – like a snail – because they want to save money to buy their own apartment.

She says, "every morning when I open my eyes, a long list of numbers jump into my mind: mortgages 6000 yuan per month (650 euros or 860 dollars ), food and clothes 2500, the cost of kindergarten 1500, gifts for officials 600, transport 580, property management 340, phone costs 250, gas, water and electricity 200. I have to earn at least 400 yuan per day. I cannot relax for even a day. I don't think about the future. I have no future. My future is now, in this moment."

Lin Lin is 29 and has been living in Shanghai for four years. The freelancer enjoys her job and her way of life: a lot of free time to read and jog and meet friends. For her the transportation system in Shanghai is acceptable, especially when compared with that in Beijing.

No place to take a breather

Sun Hong, too, is satisfied with the subway system. The 30 year old IT expert enjoys the convenience of the sport facilities, the shopping malls, and the infrastructure. But the city lacks places where people can take a breather and relax, he says.

"Shanghai is the economic and financial centre of China. The tempo of life here is very fast. But there is no place where you can rest. The parks are too small and boring. I wish we could have some green meadows, a bit of nature in the city, where you can find your peace of mind."

Focus only on GDP

Something needs to be done, agrees Hu Xingdou, sociology professor at the Beijing University of Science and Technology.

"The city administrations focus only on GDP. They want to attract more investment, construct more factories, and build more skyscrapers. The well-being of the people is secondary."

Hu Xingdou believes that urbanisation and the increasing number of megacities is a positive development. Resources can be better allocated and wealth faster generated in cities. But the quality of life in China’s megacities leaves a lot to be desired. It is still a long way to "Better City, Better Life".

Author: Miao Tian
Editor: Grahame Lucas