When cities join the per capita club focus should switch to quality of life

The per capita gross domestic product of Beijing is expected to exceed $20,000 this year, according to the city's municipal government. Beijing News comments:

That means Beijing has become the latest member of $20,000 club, which now consists of 11－mostly coastal－cities that have reached the level of developed economies in terms of their per capita GDP.

Despite this, these cities still have long way to go to improve their management and realize sustainable development. Many of these first echelon cities in China have huge populations that produce enormous amounts of waste and consume more energy and resources than the local ecology and environment can afford.

International experience shows $20,000 per capita GDP is a turning point, as once a city or region reaches this level, the core mission of the city or regional government becomes enhancing the quality of life of residents.

Take Beijing as an example. Although the capital city has taken a series of reform measures in city management and public services, there are still some obvious problems with its traffic, air quality, living environment, education, medical care, and disaster rescue and relief.

A higher personal GDP means not only the people pursue better life, but also the government has stronger financial capacity and experience to address these issues.

After making the proud announcement, the Beijing government should demonstrate more wisdom and tackle these long-term challenges, as well as become more responsive to the complaints of the residents, including those migrant workers who work and live in the city.

Citizenship should be cultivated, and people's opinions respected.

As the experience of developed economies indicates, the shortage of affordable quality resources in education, medical care and caring for the elderly will only become more prominent if the city authorities are reluctant to divert attention from driving growth to providing better public resources.

City governments must realize that a healthy and innovative population, well-managed city, and a well-protected ecology and environment can provide impetus to drive a city's sustainable development, forming a virtuous circle. If they continue to rely on investment and industrial output many of their urban blights will worsen.