No

Zhuang Ning

College graduate working in Beijing

There should be no such thing as a capsule apartment. My reasons are:

First, this prison-like way of life will deprive young people of social interaction. As for new graduates, they can rent a relatively big room with others where they can not only communicate with each other, but also have a comparatively comfortable life.

Second, the rent of the capsule apartment is too high in terms of its narrow space, which is about 2 or 3 square meters big. In other places, such as Tangjialing in west Beijing, which is noted for a ghetto habituated by newly graduated students, people can at least rent an 8-square-meter room for the same amount of money.

Third, the designer of the capsule apartment is only in it for the money. Even in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, as long as you are intent on finding decent accommodation, you will succeed.

Finally, psychologists say that people may be adversely affected mentally if they live there for some time, as the space is too small. For our health, we should boycott this kind of inhumane style of living. 

Han Shitong

Real estate researcher at the Research Center for Public Economics and Adminstration, Peking University  

My immediate reaction to capsule apartments was that the living condition is too harsh. Compared to that in Japan, the design of the capsule apartment in China is not people friendly. Regardless of the narrow space, public facilities, such as kitchen and bathroom, are not well equipped. Also, in a small living space of 2 square meters, there is little place for its resident to receive a visitor. In light of the harsh living conditions, it is ok to live in a capsule apartment temporarily. However, for long-term living, it is unacceptable. 

As for solving the problem of accommodating low-income graduates, Western countries resort to a unique way. Many families rent out their spare room to students with whom they share the kitchen, bathroom and other amenities. However, Chinese are so determined to protect their privacy that most of them cannot accept this kind of renting out. To solve the housing problem of new graduates in China, renting partitioned rooms is more feasible. Despite the space being small, residents can at least have their privacy. In addition, the necessary living facilities are relatively good. Financially, the renting of partitioned rooms is not much higher than that of capsule apartments. Therefore, the government should encourage building more apartments with partitioned rooms for single people. 

Li Zhenzhong

Rednet.cn

There is nothing to like about a capsule apartment.

The first tenant, Zhang Qi, also complained about the many difficulties of living in a capsule apartment: The space is too narrow; migrant workers living next door make loud noises; it is gloomy and cold; it is not convenient to have a shower or go to the bathroom; the wet paint on the wall is pungent and bad for the health.

Popularity of capsule apartments will threaten people's right to peace and tranquility. Due to the influx of temporary residents, the peaceful life in the neighborhood will be shattered. For example, tenants do domestic chores late at night and some cause a racket when others are trying to sleep. Besides, what can the residents do about potential safety hazards, such as public security, heating, water supply and fires? Are the police station, fire department, heating and power services ready for any problems that may arise from capsule apartments? Right now the answers seem to be no.