THE FIGHT FOR SQUARES
Annoying noise made by square dancers has created many clashes, but experts say insufficient public space and poor management in Chinese cities were to blame.
Yang Hongshan, with the public management school of Renmin University, said that public spaces in China were typically built with economic considerations, without catering to specific public needs.
"When public spaces fail to meet rising demand for rest and recreation, problems are bound to occur," Yang said.
Liu Yaodong, with the public management department of Hubei University of Technology, said that it was necessary for authorities to make scientific planning for leisure activities when developing cities.
"When designing public spaces, authorities should consider the status quo of urban recreational activities," Liu said. "Authorities should reserve enough space for the future development of recreational activities."
In September 2015, four central government bodies, including the Ministry of Culture, issued a joint circular, asking local governments to utilize existing public spaces to accommodate public leisure activities. It also said that more public cultural venues and stadiums should open free of charge and that square dancing should be included in grassroots management systems.
But patchy enforcement has left the circular largely empty talk, according to Tang Lihong, with the law school of Fuzhou University.
"Management over public spaces should be more specific, and that modern technology such as the Internet can be employed to make the management more efficient," Yang said. "For example, appointments via the Internet can help distribute human traffic to different periods of the day to ease the pressure on public spaces."
Gu Jun, a sociologist at Shanghai University, said that the government should create local social organizations to manage square dancing.
"Shanghai has already started piloting such programs, with the government issuing favorable policies to support the founding and operation of such organizations," Gu said.
