Eviction payouts up

Shanghai's municipal government has increased compensation payouts for residents evicted in redevelopment land clearance projects, state media reported. In central Jing'an district, payouts are rising from to RMB 5,700-7,700 (US$686-927) per square meter from the current RMB 4,100-4,600 range (US$493-554), the Shanghai Housing and Land Resources Administration said. In eastern Pudong, site of the 2010 World Expo, compensation rates were raised a minimum 37%. In the first five months of 2004, Shanghai has relocated 15,000 households, according to housing administration data.