Legislation is needed to allow people to share the gains of urbanization and land revaluation, and improve the compensation paid to homeowners whose land is requisitioned or buildings demolished, says an article on people.com.cn. Excerpts:

The biggest problem facing demolition of houses and relocation of homeowners is the low compensation paid to the affected people. The problem arises because proper agreements cannot be reached between local governments and the affected parties in most cases.

Legislation is needed to guarantee that people's interests are not compromised and to protect their right to know and participate in the process of demolition and relocation in a lawful and orderly way. Only a sound legal environment that guarantees a genuine mechanism for accountability can lay the foundation of a society ruled by law where houses are not demolished forcibly.

The 5th Plenary Session of the 17th Communist Party of China Central Committee, which concluded last month, said more emphasis should be laid on the "people-first" principle, and more attention to comprehensive, sustainable development and overall planning and coordination should be paid to achieve real economic development. It also said it is important to take steps aimed at improving people's livelihood to promote social equality and justice.

(China Daily 11/19/2010 page9)