Guaranteeing 8 means that GDP growth exceeds 8%. If the GDP in 2007 is $3 trillion, then the goal of Bao 8 is to reach $ 3*( 1+8%) trillion in 2008. This is because China has a large number of new laborers every year. If GDP remains unchanged, these people will lose their jobs. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure a certain GDP growth in order to stabilize employment to a certain extent. Moreover, it is often the result of the expansion of some labor-intensive industries, such as increasing infrastructure construction to ensure eight guarantees, which can effectively solve employment.

The following can be understood as a waste. Of course, this waste is justified, or it is a policy. When there are a large number of unemployed people in a city, the government may take this measure to make many unemployed people have jobs and wages, thus achieving stability and appeasement.

Of course, the economic growth you mentioned is in terms of GDP. The first building with 400 million buildings was demolished, and 600 million roads were built, so the GDP of this city increased by 600 million. When the government reports, GDP is used to measure the economic development of the city, which naturally becomes a means for government officials to show their political achievements.

If you look carefully, there are many such things. In some cities, when a road is paved, it begins to dig pipes under the road, then fill it, then dig cables and so on, and then fill it. And so on.

Of course, these things are more policies. Don't think that society is dark just because I mentioned some things about government officials. Come on, this is just a special case!