The government should take urban planning more seriously, so fewer almost new buildings need to be demolished, says an article in Dahe Daily, a provincial newspaper based in Henan Province. An excerpt follows:

Sixteen buildings were toppled by explosives in Futian Village in South China's boomtown Shenzhen on May 22. Dynamite demolition has won many favourable comments in terms of its advanced technology.

However, after applauding the awesome blast, many people cannot help querying the validity of the demolition project - "Wasn't it a waste to level these almost new buildings?"

The oldest of the 16 buildings was  27 years, but a building can generally be used for 50 years, more if built properly.

If the 16 buildings were demolished for their poor quality, then it is construction companies and the government's quality inspection agents that should be blamed.

If the 16 buildings were toppled to give way to new projects, then the government's urban planning bodies must be rebuked for their short-sightedness, approving the construction of these buildings just a few years ago only to see them torn down now.

Urban planners should carry out intensive research before making any mid-term or long-term construction plans. But the fact is, they often ignore the importance of early stage investigations, so regulations and supervision often come too late to prevent badly designed projects being built.