Expo brings to fore local concerns
()
12/06/2002
The World Expo 2010 affects everyone. Here are 10 concerns of locals about the Expo 2010, based on a random street survey conducted by the People's Daily. Housing prices and job opportunities rank as the top two concerns.Housing prices Whether Shanghai's housing prices will be driven upwards is the first hot topic among local residents. It is said lines of buyers were waiting at some new buildings in Pudong before the announcement of the World Expo host. The reason? Because they believe their purchase will gain value if Shanghai wins. Yet industry watchers think differently. "In general, the Expo impact on the local housing market will be a positive one," said Edward Cheung, general manager of international property adviser DTZ Debenham Tie Leung's Shanghai operations. People at large won't see an instant jump in prices on the city's real estate market, though the charge for some of top-end luxury apartments, usually priced above 13,000 yuan (US$1,570) per square metre, may rise by 10 to 15 per cent a year, according to Cheung. The price climb in that market segment is due to the projected inflow of international buyers as the Expo is to expected to hugely enhance Shanghai's global reputation. "Once they see the city's appeal and the potential of the local housing market, they will definitely come," he said. Although speculation will "unavoidably" emerge in the market, timely macro supervision measures from the city government will ensure the market against too much of a bubble, Cheung noted. According to a report released by the real estate adviser, four local areas designed as major venue sites for the Expo, including the Yangpu and Nanpu Bridge areas as well as some parts of the Bund, will now have alluring potential for property developers and investors. Also, while local residents at large will, in the long run, be better able to afford mid- and low-end houses thanks to the overall stimulus Expo will bring to the local economy, the grand event's appeal will also extend to, and benefit, Shanghai's neighbouring areas like Suzhou and Hangzhou, Cheung said. Job market People also care about the effect of Expo 2010 on job opportunities. Will it mean an easier job market? Experts noted the Expo will bring millions of new job opportunities in the coming years. Shanghai will further create a huge number of jobs in industries like trade fairs, tourism, advertising, restaurants and telecommunications in the following years, propelled by the Expo, said Wang Lingyi, an expert with the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. Wang noted that Shanghai will "open wider" to talents around the country and the world. A successful Expo in Shanghai needs "joint enthusiasm and efforts" by Chinese people and overseas talents as well, said Chen Jintian, vice-director of International Exchange and Co-operation Division under the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Personnel. Chen referred to industries like computer software, new materials, urban railway construction, environmental protection, real estate and the international service trade as major prospective sectors that especially welcome overseas talent and investment. Other concerns Will people have to pay more at auctions to get licence plates for their private cars? How much could be earned through hosting the Expo? Will the Expo bring substantial changes to the local environment to allow people to enjoy a bluer sky, cleaner water and a greener city? How should the Expo tickets be priced to cater to the public at large? What measures will be taken to properly manage the traffic, given estimates that the Expo will have an inflow of 70 million visitors? How can locals find a way to make a contribution to the Expo, say, as volunteers? To what extent will the Expo benefit the development of Shanghai's neighbouring areas and China as a whole? Will such bad local habits as jaywalking and airing clothes in public places be eliminated by the Expo? China Daily news
|
