Community Centers in Urban China

Abstract

While China's economic progress and social transformation demand an urgent refurbishment of its social welfare system, after a decade of development community centers have gradually become the major infrastructure of service delivery in urban China. In this article, the authors examine the social and historical context of the development of community services in urban China, and then focus on the community center as an emerging force in a society undergoing considerable change. A study of community centers in Jinan, a large city in eastern China, is reported, which reveals major difficulties that hinder the development of these centers as the principal hubs of community life. The authors outline the possible future directions of community service in China and, in particular, consider the role of community centers in the new social welfare sector of this nation.

The Impact of Community-Based Supports and Services on Quality of Life Among the Elderly in China: A Longitudinal Study

“…For nonmedical services, Xu et al (2005) found that services provided at community centers varied greatly in terms of quality and quantity, and generally there was no financial support from the government. Sufficient financial support coupled with a well-trained staff could improve the quality and availability of CBSS.…”

Village characteristics and health of rural Chinese older adults: Examining the CHARLS Pilot Study of a rich and poor province

“…For example, filial piety in China and similar norms and values in other cultures provide social and emotional support to older persons. At the village level, some villages have established "community centers" that offer social activities for older adults (Xu, et al, 2005). These social supports have become increasingly important with the changing dynamics of the Chinese family and its struggle to support the elderly.…”

Spontaneous or Constructed? Neighborhood Governance Reforms in Los Angeles and Shanghai

“…The elected resident committee, as a major decision‐making body in the community, holds regular meetings. The function of community service delivery was reorganized into a community service center staffed by professional social workers (Xu, Gao, and Yan 2005). The elected resident committees select competent staff into the community service center and oversee and evaluate their performance.…”