Beijing: urban transport issues in a socialist Third World setting (1949–1992)

Post-1949 development of urban transport in Beijing, the national capital of the People's Republic of China, has been for a long time shaped by the ideology of the Chinese communists, in a setting of rapid urban growth and industrialization with general neglect of the ‘consumption’ needs of the urban populace. The Old City of feudal Beijing which the municipality inherited in 1949 and the need to preserve its pre-industrial street pattern, set by the city wall and the former Imperial Court (the Forbidden City), for historical and cultural reasons added another interesting and almost insurmountable constraint to the city's urban transport development.This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the situation and development of urban transport in the city from 1949 to 1992, outlining its major characteristics and problems. The effects of the new Open Door and modernization policies since 1978 and their impact on a new approach emphasizing market forces are evaluated. Wherever feasible, comparative figures and materials from the western and Third World city are used to provide better appreciation of Beijing's situation. The experience of the new policy of Market Socialism that started in 1978 provides valuable evidence for other large Third World cities.     

South Africa's special employment programme of R600 million∗

In 1985 an amount of R6OO million was allocated for special employment projects. The most important ones were labour intensive projects by the public and private sectors, projects to support the small business sector, and the training of unemployed persons.

Various conditions were set for the programmes. Regarding the labour‐intensive projects for instance, a relatively small allowance was paid to the unemployed person in order to accommodate as many persons as possible, and to ensure the workers were not diverted from other employment opportunities. Furthermore, at least 50 per cent of the total funds allocated had to be for the wages of the unemployed persons. In terms of acceptability among both training institutions and the persons involved, the scheme for the training of unemployed persons was particularly successful.

Only a relatively small part of South Africa's unemployment problem can be addressed with a programme of this nature. Measures to address the structural unemployment problem remain first priority.