Key learning points

1. There are high levels of inequalities in Beijing and many other places in the world.
2. Beijing is one of the wealthiest cities in the world but many people struggle to meet their daily living needs.
3. Beijing’s high population density puts strains on housing, infrastructure and services.
4. Poor air quality in Beijing is harmful to people and the environment.

Keywords

• Services - a system that supplies a public need, for example waste collection

• Informal settlement - an area of unplanned housing where people often don't own the land and may face challenges in accessing services such as electricity and sanitation

• Infrastructure - all the basic systems in a country, such as transport and power supply

• Pollution - anything that makes the environment dirty or unhealthy

• Inequality - when something is not shared evenly between everyone

Common misconception