Comment

Embracing noisy parks

By Luke Holden (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-27 08:08

Beijing is a gigantic city and stuffed full of mostly different people. There are those who adore change and others who strive to maintain tradition, individuals who devour our "Piccalilly" society and, of course, a few who despise literally everyone.

It's this mishmash of personality that should always describe a city, because a multi-color variety makes for a fuller culture and a sense of belonging for everyone.

But there is a significant problem with this level of diversity, when the government attempts to cool public frustration and please the majority. It's a no-win situation because someone will always lose out, which makes judging it as an outsider even less constructive.

So, I won't jump forward here and crudely evaluate a piece of news I read the other day, even though my immediate reaction at the time was to take an anti-authority angle, as I usually do.

The story concerned how the city's 67 "top class" parks would soon prohibit users from making excessive noise - above 55 decibels - which is typical of musical instruments and large choral groups.

The new rule is being pushed to start in May and is the first such noise pollution regulation for local green spaces. It naturally comes about as a result of public complaints, which the local media claim have been around for a long time, but without statistics to describe the number of people involved.

I can fully understand the need for this. Parks in England are usually quiet places, full of rolling green hills and large oak trees. They are places to unwind from the endless drone of cars and construction, where a good book envelops your mind and you can gently chomp through a tuna sandwich before returning to the afternoon shift.

For traditionalists, taijiquan is an art form that really needs quiet, and also benefits from being conducted outside. Aside from a local park, try to name one other place in Beijing where practitioners can master their art. I doubt you can.

And what about the elderly? Growing old in China often means moving back in with their children. Parks are their chance for some "alone time" to collect their thoughts and conduct small talk with friends. While some might want to take part, others simply can't escape being involved. Their sanctuary has gone.

But then, there is the other side. I might love parks in England because of their quietness, but I also like parks in Beijing because of their noise. No one said I couldn't love both.

A standard treat I save for visiting family members is a trip to the Temple of Heaven, to witness the musical blitz it has become so famous for. If I do it, you can be certain many others also make the journey, which boosts tourism - pure and simple. I'm not talking about the ice-cream-and-arcade type of tourism, but a steady supply of foreigners who go out of their way to observe one of the last remaining elements of revolutionary culture.

They spend cash getting there and returning home, as well as on the park entrance fee, which will be money lost when the rule takes effect.

And then there is the idea of lost culture. It shouldn't really matter whether everyone likes revolutionary songs or not. They are an aspect of a culture that will naturally be lost in time as surviving generations pass on. Beijingers would do well to hang on to them while they can.

Equally, while some old people come to the park to reflect, many others visit to be with friends to sing and make music. They stay in groups, albeit large groups, which means there should be plenty of areas left in the park for quiet thought.

As far as musical instruments are concerned, when did you hear a novice letting loose in our green spaces? Those who come are already highly skilled and play wonderfully, adding depth to the whole breakaway experience. Remove these people and strand them in communities where building echoes and screaming kids kill all semblance of pleasure.

The argument could go on and on, but it really needn't.

Think about it. When two sides present reasonable but differing perspectives, the solution is never to listen to one side and exclude the other. With diversity must exist cooperation, which means the authorities should be looking for middle ground where everyone can be happy. My suggestion is to put away the idea of a complete ban and consider restricted times and park locations instead - so I can write positive news more often.