A total of 50 villages located on the rural outskirts of the capital will be demolished or relocated next year, according to a meeting of the standing committee of the Party's Beijing municipal committee on Tuesday.

The move is hoped to improve integration between the urban and rural areas, stimulate the low-end housing market, and increase quality of living standards for rural workers.

The construction of modestly sized apartments will be encouraged in these areas after the current buildings are demolished, the Beijing Daily reported yesterday.