Homes ruined by foundation troubles

• Source: Global Times
• [09:38 July 13 2010]
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A different story

According to Wang Weizhong, director of infrastructure development for Shanghai Conservatory of Music, with help from authorities, the school was able to avert such problems when construction for the new Line 10 subway running below the school be-gan in 2007 - about the same time construction for many of the newer subway lines near residential areas commenced.

"We were informed in advance to reinforce the foundation of our building by subway officials, and the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission gave us money to do it," he told the Global Times Monday.

According to residents Xu and Li, their property managers failed to receive such advice or help, leaving them with no choice but to live with the conditions facing them.

Meanwhile, subway authorities acknowledged that hasty construction of its rapid expansion of the subway system may have contributed to some of the problems described by the residents living in old residential compounds near Guilin Road station, which is why they have offered a redecoration subsidy to residents of affected homes, Zhang Yueming, manager of the Line 9 subway, told the Global Times Monday.

But resident Xu, who would benefit from the deal, said that she refuses to accept the money as it would not solve the foundation problems of her home.

"We're not after money," she said. "We just want the foundation to our homes repaired so we can live like normal people, without all the hassles we are forced to put up with."