Development of Container-Type Mobile Housing

Container-type mobile housing originated from the practice of transforming old containers into temporary housing and has made significant progress in recent years in terms of structural classification, policy promotion, application cases, technological development, and market development.

Structural Classification: Container-type mobile housing can be classified into three categories based on structure. The first is traditional container-modified box houses, which are made from used containers and have lower costs. The second is newly welded box-type mobile homes, which are welded from new materials and have a more stable structure. The third is detachable box-type mobile homes, which are easy to transport and assemble, offering high flexibility. These houses feature rapid installation and multi-story combination capabilities, meeting the needs of various scenarios.

Policy Promotion: Since 2022, China has promoted the development of prefabricated buildings through the 'Implementation Plan for Carbon Peaking in the Urban and Rural Construction Sector,' providing policy support for container-type mobile housing. Wen'an County in Hebei Province has formed an industrial cluster, and its developed 'space capsule' smart box houses have been put into use, demonstrating technological innovation driven by policy support.

Application Cases: Container-type mobile housing has been widely used in multiple fields. The 2026 Nagoya Asian Games in Japan used container houses to build the Athletes' Village, while Shanting District in Zaozhuang City, Shandong Province, China, utilized container houses to create a characteristic homestay scenic area. In emergency medical facility construction, container houses have played a crucial role due to their rapid deployment capabilities. Additionally, innovative applications have emerged in the commercial sector, such as 24-hour self-service fitness pods.

Technological Development: Container-type mobile housing continues to undergo technological optimization in terms of thermal insulation performance, energy supply systems, and intelligent management. For example, new photovoltaic-thermal panels are used to address heating and power supply issues, underfloor heating systems reduce temperature fluctuations, and intelligent optimization algorithms enhance energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions.

Market Development: The market for container-type mobile housing is experiencing rapid growth. According to data from the General Administration of Customs, in the first quarter of 2026, China's export growth rate of prefabricated buildings reached 45%, and the export value of 'mobile homes' from Shenzhen ports increased by 19.6% year-on-year, with products shipped to more than 150 countries and regions worldwide, covering a wide range of application areas.