Community management under scrutiny

Party secretaries, neighborhood committee directors and representatives of property management companies took part in a discussion hosted by Shanghai's urban management authorities on Thursday.

The comprehensive management of residential communities has become a hot topic in recent years with complaints over violations such as illegal structures on the rise year after year based on the city’s comprehensive 12345 hotline, according to the Shanghai City Management and Administration Execution Bureau. 

"The acts such as turning residential apartments into commercial facilities should be included in the city's public credit system to deter violators," suggested an official surnamed Zhang from a residential community in Xinzhuang Town in Minhang District. "The punishment on damaging supporting structures of residential buildings should also be tougher because it poses serious safety hazards."

There were also suggestions on blocking flyposting illegal ads at residential complexes through specific regulations.

The discussion was seeking grassroots opinions on the management of residential communities, the bureau said.

The participation of neighborhood committees, residents' committees, property management companies, and government authorities is important in the comprehensive management of residential communities, said Xu Zhihu, director of the bureau.