Greetings urban dwellers!

Since the past few articles, we have established the dangers and significance of air pollution in the urban environ. Now, what happens if the urban inhabitants become frustrated with persistent pollution and/or the government for inadequate actions to mitigate and prevent the source of pollution?

In Henri Lefebvre’s esteemed work on the urban, he argued that all citizens inhabiting the city has the right to the city. Simply, every inhabitant can utilise the urban space equally and safely. He also highlighted that every member of the city has the rights to information, to difference and to self-management. However, in the event that the citizens are denied the rights partially or fully, it could erupt into acts of violence and unhappiness.

The case study of Quanzhou, Fujian Province, proved to exemplary in illustrating how the discontentment of citizens from air pollution can break out into violence and unlawful occupation onto the streets. Due to poor waste management from Quangang Urban Sewage Plant, there was a foul stench released to the urban environment and the water bodies are heavily polluted with waste discharge. The stench and polluted water bodies are problematic for the inhabitants as both their health and sea shores are affected. Despite numerous calls onto authorities to rectify the environmental hazard, there was little response. Eventually, inhabitants took on the responsibility and protested via violent riots. It was noted that at least 2,000 riot police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. The rioters destroyed cars, threw rocks at the enforcers and even kidnapped an official hostage to send a message. Eventually, the sporadic rioters were dispersed and the state promised to make amendments to the environmental hazard.

Protest Occupation in Quanzhou, China (https://ejatlas.org/conflict/antipollution-protests-against-local-solar-panel-manufacturers-quanzhou-fujian-china)

From this short case study, one thing clear is that environmental pollution in the urban spaces can result in explosive reactions from the inhabitants. Linking back to the Lefebvre’s idea, citizens believe that they have the rights to live in a hazard-free environment where they can carry out daily activities without concerns of their livelihoods and health.

Moral of story? Authorities must keep environment clean and safe for living in urban spaces, otherwise risk an occupation from activists and other disgruntled members of public.

You Live in Urban, You Fight for Urban

Your metropollution warrior,

BriChua

References:

Purcell, M. (2014). Possible worlds: Henri Lefebvre and the right to the city. Journal of Urban Affairs, 36(1), 141–154. https://doi.org/10.1111/juaf.12034

Watts, J. (2009, September 2). Further anti-pollution riots break out in China. The Guardian. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/sep/02/anti-pollution-riot-china