I've always been fascinated by Chinese Nail Houses, more commonly known in the western world as a 'holdout'.
The situation of Chinese Nail Houses occurs when a resident refuses to make way for a development and forces the construction to adapt around it.
The result is often something that requires a second look to convince yourself that what you are seeing is even real.
For anyone who's seen the Pixar movie, Up , the plot revolves around exactly this scenario (after the saddest introduction ever).
While the story of Up does go a long way beyond the reality of what the residents of Chinese Nail Houses experience, the basis of the story draws similar comparisons to what actually happens in the real world.
There have even been similar situations here in Australia, where lifelong residents have refused to give in to developers. Case in point, Barry Dickson .
What happens in China however, takes things to a whole new level.
Imagine living in the middle of a massive shopping centre construction, where you are dependent on people ferrying food and water to you via a zip line.
I admire the courage of the people's convictions and the sacrifices they make to defend their homes, even when this means, your home will be smack bang in the middle of a six-lane freeway.
Wouldn't it make an amazing project to put together a series of photographs that highlight the plight of the people faced with this scenario?
Photograph: Liu jiao/Imaginechina/APA dingzihu – or 'nail house' – is a home where the owner refuses to accept compensation from a property developer for its demolition. Here are some of the most striking.
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