Problems in the Implementation of Quanzhou's Old City Redevelopment Plan

摘要

Quanzhou in Fujian Province is one of China's most renowned historic-cultural cities. The starting point of the maritime silk road, and previously a highly developed religious, cultural and trading port city, Quanzhou has more than a thousand years of civilization. Down to the present, the old center of Quanzhou still retains a great number of historic religious and cultural remains, and in 1982 was among the first group of Chinese cities to be designated a "Famous Historic-Cultural City". Its long history, culture and trade have created in Quanzhou a unique urban character. For more than a decade now, Quanzhou's economy has been developing rapidly. In 1992 the municipality's GNP represented 18% of the entire GNP of Fujian Province. Within the Minnan "Golden Triangle" formed by Quanzhou, Xiamen and Zhangzhou municipalities, Quanzhou's GNP represents 41.66% of the whole. From 1980 to 1992 Quanzhou's GNP increased 19.1%, and per capita income increased 21.4%. Commerce has also developed rapidly, with total retail trade in 1992 amounting to 84 times the 1980 basis of RMB 810,000,000. Rapid economic growth has pushed the development of the real estate industry. With all the land designated by the city's 1988 master plan for new development already leased out, the real estate developers' antennae are feeling their way into the historic district.