Three years after quake, new towns arise in SW China

[Martian]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/phot.../c_13868985.htm

The bird's-eye view photo taken on April 17, 2011 shows a residential community in Dujiangyan, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Mu Hong, vice director of China's National Development and Reform Commission, on Tuesday said 95 percent of the post-quake reconstruction projects have been completed so far in the areas hit by a devastating earthquake three years ago. According to the country's general reconstruction plan, the rebuilding in the quake zones is expected to be fully completed by the end of September, Mu Hong said. The devastating quake centered in Wenchuan County in southwestern Sichuan on May 12, 2008 left 87,000 people dead or missing and millions homeless. (Xinhua/Liu Yinghua)

The combined bird's-eye view photo shows the Xiang'e Township of Dujiangyan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on May 18, 2008 (L, upper), on May 11, 2009 and on April 18, 2011 ®. (Xinhua/Liu Yinghua)

The bird's-eye view photo taken on April 17, 2011 shows Yingxiu Town in southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Liu Yinghua)

The bird's-eye view photo taken on April 17, 2011 shows a residential community in Dujiangyan, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Liu Yinghua)

The bird's-eye view photo taken on April 17, 2011 shows Shuimo Township of Wenchuan, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Liu Yinghua)

Editor: Wang Guanqun

 

[Tronic]

Thats really impressive!

 

[SpArK]

Amazing pics...the surrounding greenery looks lush.

 

[A.V.]

impressive and great looking pictures

 

[The Messiah]

Sometimes its beneficial not to have uneducated corrupt politicians running the country.

 

[cw2005]

I would prefer to see the progress of system improving and monitoring of government official's working attitude & corruption that had been the reason of many school collapsing.

 

[utubekhiladi]

is this town within AGNI-5's range?

just jocking, it is a nice town

 

[Martian]

New buildings are "capable of withstanding quakes of up to magnitude-9.0"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/08/AR2010020802005.html

"Huge recovery effort revives China's quake zone

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN
The Associated Press
Monday, February 8, 2010; 1:34 PM
...
"We've recovered pretty quick," said Song Jinfeng, a project manager strolling beside Wenchuan's Min river that had been the only route of escape after the quake sent rock slides hurtling down the slopes, blocking all major roads.

"It's housing first, then basic infrastructure, public services and finally jobs," Song said, listing the project's oft repeated priorities.

Key to this success has been the allocation of about $11 billion in government reconstruction funds, an option not available to impoverished Haiti, where January's 7.0-magnitude earthquake killed an estimated 200,000 people and left 3 million in need of food, shelter and medicine.

While per capita annual incomes in the Sichuan quake zones hover at around 3,000 yuan ($440), China's booming economy and surging government revenues mean there is no shortage of funding.

Add to that fiscal muscle China's powerful manufacturing and construction capacity, a surfeit of engineering expertise, and strong transport infrastructure. A further advantage in China's topdown communist system, which is suited to such crisis response, setting clear goals without lengthy discussion, and providing a cadre of party officials accountable to the leadership.
...
To help speed the recovery and provide added oversight, China's central government ordered every province, region and major city in the country to adopt an affected county and provide funds and expertise.

The relatively wealthy eastern province of Shandong has overseen Wenchuan's rebuilding with designs meant to minimize damage from any future quakes. Crowded neighborhoods were bulldozed and new buildings constructed well clear of the steep valley walls.
...
Construction costs are higher than for similar projects elsewhere in China, partly because of a dearth of workers and the need to truck in supplies. Also, engineering experts from China's leading universities were recruited to design buildings capable of withstanding quakes of up to magnitude-9.0. The structures have thicker walls, heavier steel beams and extra iron reinforcing."

 

[Martian]

China rebuilds from Sichuan earthquake

Post by "oneman28":

Rebirth Of Beichuan - Less Than 2 1/2 Years After The Earthquake In Sichuan, China

The devastating earthquake on May 12, 2008 destroyed many areas in Sichuan province, China. Five million people lost their homes and about 20 million peoples' lives were impacted.

After the earthquake, the Chinese central government assigned areas to other provinces for reconstruction. China planned to rebuild all impacted areas with a total of 1 trillion RMB investment. Shandong province is responsible for the rebuilding of Beichuan city. New Beichuan is now almost ready and people are moving into their new homes.

The pictures were taken before September 2010, when Shandong province began to "hand over" the new city to Beichuan residents.

 

[Martian]

China rebuilds from Sichuan earthquake (continued)

 

[Martian]

China rebuilds from Sichuan earthquake (continued)

 

[Martian]

China rebuilds from Sichuan earthquake (continued)

 

[Martian]

China rebuilds from Sichuan earthquake (continued)

 

[redragon]

I guess dictatorship gets things done a lot faster, it does have it's advantage after all in some fields.

 

[badguy2000]

well, the most obvious merit of China's political system is its mobility and executive.

 

[Tolaha]

Terrific pics, especially from post #9!

Cant think of any other country that is so impressive in terms of scale in infrastructure development!

 

[warriorextreme]

If something like this is to happen in India then it will take 5 years of planning...5 years of land acquisition...5 years for execution and 10 years of completion...earth might be under water by then...
Really great to see how china works..

 

[Martian]

More "Bird's-eye view of post-quake buildings in Sichuan"

There are eight more pictures of post-quake reconstruction in Sichuan at the following link: english news Ó¢ÓïÐÂÎÅ-Bird's-eye view of post-quake buildings in Sichuan

The bird's-eye view photo taken on April 17, 2011 shows reconstructed schools in Dujiangyan, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The bird's-eye view photo taken on April 18, 2011 shows Yinghua Township in Shifang, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The bird's-eye view photo taken on April 18, 2011 shows Hongbai Township in Shifang, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

 

[tarunraju]

The question to ask is, who is going to stay there? Will the original surviving residents return? For free? If not, will there be a Han influx from the north-east?

 

[amoy]

Almost the same size as your West Bangal, Sichuan is the 3rd populous province of China but her population declines by 2.87mln according to Y2010 census compared to 10years ago, contrary to your suspicion of Han influx.

The earthquake hit area is of Qiang minority (also an origin of Han and Tibetan). Their living conditions were quite rough, in valleys, vulnerable to landslides -

Pics I took many years ago

Flickr 上 ohimalaya 的 DSCN0713


Flickr 上 ohimalaya 的 DSCN0728