The Jingshan neighourhood, adjacent to the Forbidden City, topped the list, while two neighbourhoods in Shijingshan District, where the major polluter Shougang Group is located, were at the bottom.

"Livable Beijing" has been a buzzword on the lips of 15 million Beijing inhabitants since the city promised to host a "green" Olympics. The city's master plan also calls for the lofty goal of becoming "a city suitable for living."

"I believe the central Olympic district will become one of top five or even top three most livable places in next two to three years," Zhang told China Daily.

The central Olympic district he mentioned refers to an area that is sandwiched between the northern parts of the Fourth Ring Road and the Fifth Ring Road. The district reaches Tangli Road in the east and extends to the Badaling Expressway in the west.

But people could be forgiven for being skeptical about whether Beijing's theoretical embrace of "livability" can be translated into real improvements in the quality of life in the Olympic district, which often feels like one enormous construction zone.

And the district's ranking is alarmingly low compared with the high expectation of a new "face" for Beijing when the Games is staged. However, this region is experiencing fundamental changes day by day, which will not only improve its own living conditions but also help its neighboring areas become more livable, Zhang predicted.

1

2

3

4

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)