Yi Ran (center), the head of the Longzeyuan Community Residents’ Committee in Huitian area, Changping District, Beijing, participates in a walking event organized by the committee in May 2023
COURTESY PHOTOIn Beijing’s bustling northern district of Changping, Huitian, an acronym for Huilongguan and Tiantongyuan, is recognized as one of Asia’s largest residential areas, home to about 860,000 people. Once known as a “dormitory town” due to its large population of commuters and lack of local industries, the area is undergoing a revolution in community governance.
In 1998, the Beijing Municipal Government designated Huilongguan and Tiantongyuan as new sites for affordable housing, attracting many to move there from the downtown areas as well as many newcomers to Beijing. However, the newly built mega-community initially lacked essential amenities. The lack of healthcare and educational facilities prompted many to relocate as soon as their financial situation allowed.
Yi Ran is one of Huitian’s earliest settlers, moving that she even hesitated to invite friends over at that time due to the traffic congestion and the absence of nearby restaurants.
