In recent years, the city of Tianjin has been focusing on the renovation of urban appearance and environment, forming a united force across the city. It was reported that in just one month after the introduction of the new "Urban Management Regulations" in 2010, the city demolished more than 2,000 illegal buildings covering over 100,000 square meters. However, recently, complaints about "illegal construction" received by our newspaper have not decreased but increased instead, which is worth deep reflection. (Tianjin Daily, July 16)
Illegal constructions are long-standing problems troubling cities all over the country and also the focus of citizens' complaints. Since the comprehensive management of urban appearance and environment in Tianjin, many media outlets have reported on long-term road-occupying or citizen-troubling "official-built", "rich-built", and "domineering-built" illegal constructions. As their names suggest, "official-built" refers to illegal constructions with public ownership; "rich-built" refers to illegal constructions built by the rich; and "domineering-built" refers to those built by people who are difficult to deal with. For example, today's Tianjin Daily reports that two "official-built" bungalows in Jingyangli, Lanzhoudao, Heping District, have been blocking the back windows of bottom-floor shops for a long time, causing significant losses to merchants; in Zhongbei Town, Xiqing District, some residential areas have been without gas for a long time, and the reason lies in the pressure from illegal constructions on many pipelines. Among the builders are some stubborn "nail households" resisting and obstructing law enforcement officers.
Illegal constructions are like "tumors" in the city. If they are not removed in time, they will not only damage the urban image but also cause troubles to citizens' lives. Therefore, the governance of illegal constructions cannot be soft. I believe that to govern illegal constructions, we must achieve "fast, accurate, and severe."
The term "fast" means that once receiving citizens' reports or monitoring illegal constructions, we should quickly verify the situation, identify the responsible persons, and then proceed with demolition. For example, recently, the urban appearance department of Dagang coordinated with departments such as urban management, public security, power supply, water supply, and notary offices to demolish a privately-built illegal construction at Dagang pedestrian street, thereby eliminating the huge safety hazards posed by these more than ten rooms illegally built on the roof.
The term "accurate" means targeting different illegal constructions for different treatments. If they are privately built by residents, we should persuade the residents to dismantle them themselves. If the residents do not heed the advice, then forced demolition can be carried out. For example, regarding the issue of illegal constructions on gas pipelines in Zhongbei Town mentioned earlier, relevant departments should adopt a firm attitude. If it is "official-built," the corresponding unit should be tasked with demolition. For instance, last month, the media reported that an illegal construction built by the Wanxing Subdistrict Office of Nankai District had not been demolished for 10 years. Nankai District took a very firm stance, stating that if the office could not dismantle it within the specified period, the Comprehensive Law Enforcement Bureau of Nankai District would report to the district government and take compulsory measures according to the law.
The term "severe" means strictly enforcing the law and seriously handling cases. For illegal constructions, once discovered, they should be dealt with immediately. If the violators do not rectify within the specified period, then compulsory execution or more serious penalties should be imposed. For example, recently, an owner in the first phase of Yichengyuan Residential Area in Tianjin Development Zone added a gatehouse to his villa and even extended it to the third floor rooftop. The property management company and the Urban Management Bureau issued multiple notices requiring rectification, but the construction continued. Finally, the Urban Management Brigade contacted the construction party, conducted on-site law enforcement, and ordered them to dismantle it within three days, otherwise, fines and other corresponding penalties would be imposed. Under the pressure of law enforcement, the building was finally dismantled.
As the saying goes, "For every trick the devil has, heaven has a greater one." To truly govern illegal constructions, we must continuously increase law enforcement and supervision efforts, and solve problems "fast, accurately, and severely." Only in this way can we prevent illegal constructions, these "tumors" on the urban body, from having any room to grow. (By Wen Tianyu)
(Source: Northern Net)