Demolition of Prefabricated Panel Houses in Dalian

Prefabricated panel houses in Dalian will not be comprehensively demolished but will be classified and handled according to actual conditions, adopting the principle of 'retain, renovate, and demolish'.

Three types of prefabricated panel houses that must be demolished:

1. Grade D dilapidated houses: These refer to houses whose load-bearing structures have failed and are at risk of collapsing at any time. For example, the Grade D dilapidated houses at No. 54 and No. 56 Minle Street, Xigang District, Dalian. If it is determined through assessment that the load-bearing structures cannot be repaired, they must be demolished. However, it should be noted that for some Grade D dilapidated houses, priority may be given to attempting 'overall reinforcement and repair'. If the repair is ineffective or the structure is completely compromised, the demolition process will be initiated.
2. Houses within urban planning red lines: Houses that need to be vacated for land due to the construction of public facilities such as subways, schools, and hospitals must be demolished regardless of their structure. This type of demolition is oriented towards urban development needs, such as rail transit construction or educational facility expansion projects.
3. Houses requiring economic assessment: Dalian is piloting the 'demolish and rebuild on the same site' model, conducting economic assessments for some dilapidated houses. If the reconstruction cost is lower than the repair cost, or if residents choose the resettlement plans provided by the government (such as monetary compensation or property rights exchange), the demolition process may be initiated.

Renovation methods for non-demolished houses:
For prefabricated panel houses that do not meet the demolition criteria, Dalian mainly improves living quality through repair, reinforcement, and facility upgrades. Specific measures include:

• Structural reinforcement: Reinforce load-bearing components such as walls and beams to eliminate safety hazards;
• Facility upgrades: Add exterior wall insulation layers, roof waterproof layers, renovate old elevators, and add parking spaces and charging piles;
• Environmental optimization: Improve community greening, lighting, and barrier-free facilities to enhance living comfort.
  Currently, the area of key old residential communities renovated in Dalian has exceeded 10,000 square meters, benefiting more than 20,000 households. After renovation, the functionality and safety of the communities have been significantly improved.

Policy background and objectives:
The 'retain, renovate, and demolish' principle in Dalian aims to balance urban renewal and livelihood protection, avoiding resource waste and social conflicts caused by a one-size-fits-all demolition approach. Through classified disposal, it not only eliminates safety hazards but also retains some houses with intact structures. At the same time, it improves residents' quality of life through renovation, achieving sustainable urban development.