APPENDIX C: SURVEY ON SATISFACTION WITH URBAN SUSTAINABLE AND LIVEABLE DEVELOPMENT To better analyse and understand the requirements of ordinary people, UNDP China conducted an online survey on public satisfaction with urban development. It took place from 22 March to 18 May 18, 2012. A total of 318 people filled in the questionnaire online; all responses were effective. The results indicate major challenges and achievements in terms of sustainable, liveable development in cities. Most survey participants were young; 44 percent were under the age of 25, and 46 percent were between the ages of 26 and 40. City dwellers accounted for 95 percent of respondents. Fifty-three percent were urban workers. There was insufficient reflection of the opinions of the migrant population. Figure C.1 outlines issues where a relatively high proportion of respondents said they were ‘not very satisfied’ or ‘least satisfied’. Figure C.1 90
Degree of people’s dissatisfaction with urban development
83.02
80
77.36 70.13
70
67.61
67.3
66.98
65.1
63.52
63.21
60
58.49
50 40 30 20 10 Medical resources allocation
Urban governance and public participation
Planning and utilization efficiency of road construction
Educational resources allocation
The price level of consumer goods
Air quality
Waste recycling management systems
Average income level and income gap
Indemnificatory housing
Home prices
0
Figure C.2 shows aspects of urban life where a relatively high proportion of respondents said they were ‘basically satisfied’, ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’.
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The survey results suggest that ordinary people are very unsatisfied with home prices in cities; nearly 51 percent of respondents chosen the option ‘very unsatisfied’. Only around 23 percent of respondents were satisfied with the construction of indemnificatory housing and income level. Home prices are rising out of proportion to residents’ incomes, driven by speculative purchasing, which poses a serious challenge to sustainable urban development. Since the consumer price index has remained at a high level for consecutive periods, over 40 percent of