Guangzhou's rapid transition from an imperial to a socialist city left it with multiple problems and contradictions. While the population grew and the economy modernized, the government did not provide the infrastructure and services necessary to support these changes. A severe scarcity of housing persisted throughout the Maoist period, while land use continued to be mixed and illogical. Congestion plagued the central city as the number of automobiles and bicycles increased. In the post-Mao period, Guangzhou has attempted to deal with these issues through new housing construction and policy, land use planning, and transportation planning, but the persistent historic problems of housing, land use, and congestion are not easily solved.