Posted: May 1st, 2025

Managing global city – china

I need to summarize all main points, readdress the issues and provide improvement points for the country.

Kevin Canas
Tocarra Ware
Beijing, the capital of China, is a bustling metropolis located in the northern China at the
northern tip of the North China Plains, near the meeting of the Xishan and Yanshan mountain
ranges. Boasting a massive population of 21.54 million people, it stands as one of the most
densely populated cities in the world as of 2023 it is ranked 8. Religiously diverse, Beijing hosts
followers of Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam, and atheism along with many more. This
religious plurality is one of the many reasons why the city has taken the moniker of a global city.
Economically, Beijing stands as the economical, political, and cultural heart of China. With a
robust economy fueled by various industries, some examples being Technology development,
finance, education, and tourism. Its influence even extends beyond China’s borders, playing a
pivotal role in shaping global politics and commerce. As a center for innovation and creativity,
Beijing continues to draw international attention, attracting business, tourists, and scholars
alike. Its iconic landmarks such as the great wall, the Forbidden city, and the Tiananmen Square
stand as testaments to the rich history and cultural significance. With a dynamic blend of
tradition and modernity, Beijing epitomizes the essence of a truly global city, bridging the gap
between the past and the future embracing diversity and progress.
One of the major global issues that affect many major cities regards housing affordability
and accessibility. Many cities struggle to provide affordable and adequate housing for their
growing populations, leading to issues such as housing shortages, skyrocketing prices, and
unequal access to housing opportunities.
In Beijing, Rapid urbanization and population growth have put immense pressure on the
housing markets, exacerbating affordability issues. The demand for housing exceeds the
available supply, driving up prices and making it difficult for low and middle-income residents to
afford decent housing. This disparity is particularly pronounced in urban areas, where the cost
of living is higher and the competition for housing is fiercer.
Additionally, the system of household registration, known as the “hukou” system, further
complicates the housing situation in Beijing. Under this system, residents are categorized as
either urban or rural, with access to different social services and benefits based on their status.
This has created barriers for rural migrants seeking to settle in urban areas like Beijing, as they
often face restrictions on accessing affordable housing and other essential services.
Furthermore, speculative investments in the real estate market have fueled property
speculation and contributed to housing affordability challenges in Beijing. Investors, both
domestic and foreign, purchase properties for investment purposes, driving up prices and
further squeezing out residents.
Addressing these housing problems in Beijing requires comprehensive measures,
including increasing the supply of housing, reforming the hukou system to provide equal access
to urban services, and implementing regulations to curb speculative investment. In the real
estate market. But it must be done in a careful manner as in recent years attempting to correct
the problems of unattainable housing is causing other problems to surface. Such as
development being started but unable to continue due to the rapid pace depleting funds too
quickly. Some additional ways to prevent future issues can be sustainable urban planning. As
Beijing continues to grow, urban planners must prioritize sustainable development practices.
This includes promoting mixed land use to reduce urban sprawl, by providing more compact,
walkable neighborhoods with access to amenities and employment opportunities, Beijing can
mitigate some of the housing strain and enhance overall livability. Opening and making it easier
for citizens from rural provinces to purchase housing. There are many small things that can be
done to correct the issues presented.
Beijing, China, is a city with a rich and storied history that dates back over 3,000 years.
with a history dating back to ancient times, emerged as a significant city during the Liao and Jin
dynasties, serving as a secondary capital. It gained prominence as the capital of the Yuan
Dynasty under Kublai Khan, who constructed the iconic Forbidden City. Beijing continued as the
capital through the Ming and Qing dynasties, during which its cultural heritage flourished with
landmarks like the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. In modern history, Beijing played a
pivotal role in the Chinese Revolution and became the capital of the People’s Republic of China
in 1949. Since then, the city has rapidly developed and transformed, highlighted by hosting the
2008 Summer Olympics, which catalyzed extensive urban renewal and infrastructure projects.
Beijing stands as one of China’s four centrally governed municipalities, alongside
Chongqing, Shanghai, and Tianjin, with no intermediary administrative tier separating it from
the central government. Administratively, the municipality is subdivided into four urban and six
suburban districts, along with eight counties in the outer regions. Beijing’s municipal
administration operates within the hierarchical framework of the Chinese government,
spanning from the national level down to the provincial, municipal, and ultimately,
neighborhood levels.
The political structure in Beijing revolves around the centralized authority of the Chinese
Communist Party (CCP). It was founded in 1921 with the primary goal of achieving a socialist
revolution and establishing a communist society in China. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
was instrumental in guiding the Chinese revolution, toppling the Nationalist government, and
founding the People’s Republic of China in 1949 under the leadership of Mao Zedong. The city is
governed by municipal-level authorities appointed by the central government. Key decisionmaking bodies include the Beijing Municipal People’s Congress and the Beijing Municipal
Government. The CCP exercises significant control over all aspects of governance, with ultimate
authority vested in the Party’s Central Committee and its General Secretary.
The centralized leadership structure in Beijing may hinder direct accountability to local
constituents because leaders report to higher-level party authorities rather than directly to the
people, they serve which can limit the responsiveness of leaders to local grievances and
demands. Leaders in Beijing must adhere to strict party discipline and follow directives from
higher authorities within the CCP hierarchy. This can restrict the autonomy of local leaders and
reduce their flexibility in addressing local needs and concerns that may differ from national
policies or party directives.
The housing challenges in Beijing, China, result from a mix of factors such as rapid
urbanization, population growth, speculative investments in real estate, and income disparities.
With Beijing’s evolution into a global city, the demand for housing has sharply risen, causing
property prices to escalate, and creating a shortage of affordable housing, especially impacting
low and middle-income individuals.
The Chinese government has implemented a comprehensive strategy to address housing
challenges in Beijing. This includes tightening housing market regulations to curb speculative
activities, such as limiting multiple home purchases, increasing down payment requirements for
mortgages, and imposing lending restrictions on property developers. Efforts have also focused
on boosting the supply of affordable housing through government-subsidized projects and
partnerships with the private sector, including the construction of subsidized rental and social
housing for low-income families. Urban renewal initiatives aim to revitalize older
neighborhoods, enhance living conditions, and expand housing options in central areas.
Additionally, land use policies have been optimized to allocate more land for residential
development, particularly in high-demand regions. The government has also prioritized renter
protections and enhanced rental market regulations to ensure more secure and affordable
rental options for residents.
President Xi Jinping’s administration has emphasized the importance of maintaining
housing stability and ensuring that housing remains affordable for the general population. While
these efforts have made progress in addressing the housing crisis, challenges persist, especially
in balancing economic growth with social equity and sustainable development.
Global Urban leader project: Beijing, China
Kevin Canes
1) Introduction:
a) Global city and leader
b) Population
c) Housing issue
2) Overview of housing affordability and accessibility
a) Urbanization and population growth
b) “Hukou” system
c) Investors
Tocarra Ware
3) Leader and political structure
a) Biography
b) Agenda
c) Chinese Communist party
4) Improvement and success stories
a) Housing project
b) Solutions
c) Resident improvement stories
Karla Torres
5) Conclusion
a) Summarize main points
b) Readdress issues
c) Conclude with improvement suggestions
References
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SCMP. (2022, February 26). Why is housing in China so unaffordable and how Beijing’s
attempts to fix it have failed. South China Morning Post.
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3209060/why-housingchina-so-unaffordable-and-how-beijings-attempts-fix-it-have-failed
Zhang, E., & Woo, R. (2023, August 23). China should stick to houses as living, not speculation:
state media. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-should-stick-houses-are-livingnot-speculation-state-media-2023-08-23/
Masuda-Farkas, M. (2021, August 18). China’s Hukou System and the Urban-Rural Divide. The
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