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One of those buildings is a nut shop owned by the Yu family. Established in 1981, the little shop looks like its held together with tape and string. It is also along the path that will see the Olympic torch relay pass on the way to opening ceremonies. It won't be there on that day, though.

More than 1.25 million people have faced eviction since Beijing won the Olympic bid in 2001. Some weeks have seen as many as 13,000 losing their home.

The government is offering money to those whose homes are being torn down to make way for a "prettier" city. The Yu family was offered $49,523. That is a third of what it would cost for a new apartment in his neighbourhood. His neighbour Wang Zhenjiang told him to demand more money.

"It's all about money," Wang said, jabbing the air. "Under a one-party dictatorship, ordinary people have to put up with being wronged."

But Yu said, "If they come, we can do nothing but let them tear it down. When have you ever heard of the weak winning a case?"

The Yu house is scheduled to be torn down on Sunday.

Two sisters down the road have taken a stand for their leaky home. Their family has been in the house for six generations. Houses on both sides have been torn down by the government.

The sisters have erected a large wooden sign declaring, "Protect property ownership in line with the constitution; guard your home until death." Above their front door, a smaller paper sign asks, "Where is the law of the God?"

"The Olympic slogan is 'One World, One Dream,' " said Zhang Donghua, the younger sister's husband. "The constitution protects the private property of citizens, and our livelihood depends on this place. . . . How can this represent one world, one dream?"

The area is planned to become a park.