[Radix] China earthquake: construction procurement

[James Lewis]

Dear Radix readers,

This message follows my yesterday's message (via Ben) on corruption 
in Chinese (and other) construction. So as to get closer to 
information on Chinese construction procurement systems it would be 
very useful to have contact with someone knowledgeable on such 
Chinese matters. Does anyone have a student or colleague who could 
advise or know of a credible source ?

School building procurement is obviously my specific aspect of 
interest, but any system for government funded building construction 
would  be relevant. I would like to find information about the following:

Design and specification: centralised, regionalised, local, standard 
or specific to site ?
Tendering / bidding / contractor selection

Funding process: source - central, regional or local ?
Contract cost management: eg; lump sum payments or stage by stage

Construction contract management:
Construction inspection - for quality conformance to specification; 
for payment purposes ?
Regulation and control
Site administration
Sub-contracting procedures.

I once worked on construction in Hong Kong (before it's hand-over to 
China); high quality construction in China is historic and 
traditional. What probably has happened, as it has in so many parts 
of the world, is an erosion of that quality for purposes of speed and 
political pressure to achieve. Also, as in all countries, 
construction invites corrupt practice.

The world famous RIBA library internet catalogue has come up with one 
reference so I would especially be interested in any helpful 
suggestion towards my purpose.

With regards -

James
www.livingwithflooding.eu