Survey and Design Work in Taoping |
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Following the presentation to county officials, the BE Lab group presented the Five Points and four development scenarios to villagers in Taoping’s main assembly hall (Figure 19). Approximately [#s?] residents attended. The group asked the residents for a straw poll on which of the scenarios they preferred. Although most raised their hands in the end for “balanced development,” twice as many preferred “restore the natural character” to “complete reconstruction” of both new and old parts of the village. Despite the greater affluence that tourism brings, many residents did not want to abandon the agricultural base of their livelihood, or to compromise the environment. Older residents especially wished to continue living in the historic part of the village. Residents spoke with great feeling and frustration over the lack of information they had received about plans for their village, and their inability to affect the form and timing of development. A number claimed that the BE Lab had been the first group to present any plans to them at all. The most heartfelt expressions concerned fear that residents were losing control of their village’s fate. It was especially difficult for them to remain in their temporary housing, not knowing how or when their old houses would be repaired. |
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