Demolition of Prefabricated Slab Houses in Guangzhou

Whether prefabricated slab houses in Guangzhou are to be demolished depends on the safety assessment grade of the houses and specific policy-based classification and handling, rather than being directly determined by the 'prefabricated slab' structure.

I. Safety Assessment and Classification-Based Handling as the Core Basis

According to the 'Standard for Dangerous Building Appraisal' (JGJ125—2016), building safety is classified into four grades: A, B, C, and D, with different handling methods corresponding to each grade:

• Grade A/B buildings: Structurally safe or basically safe, requiring no demolition. Renovation methods include maintenance, pipeline network renovation, elevator installation, etc., aiming to improve living quality.
• Grade C buildings: Locally pose safety hazards, with reinforcement as the primary approach. Measures such as structural reinforcement and local repairs are taken to eliminate dangerous points and extend the building's service life.
• Grade D buildings: Entire buildings are in a dangerous state and are prioritized for 'accelerated demolition and renovation'. Such buildings must immediately cease use and be included in the scope of original-site demolition and reconstruction. For example, Building No. 2 on Juqun Street in Huadu District, Guangzhou, was identified as a Grade D dangerous building and was demolished and rebuilt on the original site in 2024. Residents shared the costs based on area, and the government subsidized design and other expenses.

II. Policies Emphasize 'Governance' Rather Than 'Elimination'

The '15th Five-Year Plan for Urban Renewal' issued by the State Council clearly proposes to 'steadily advance the governance and renovation of prefabricated slab houses', with the key word being 'governance' rather than unified demolition. Whether demolition is required should be based on the appraisal report issued by a professional institution, with the age of the building or structural type serving only as key considerations. This means that even if a building is of a prefabricated slab structure, as long as it has not been appraised as a Grade D dangerous building or has not been included in a government-approved renewal project, the focus will still be on maintenance, reinforcement, or local renovation, and the policy does not support a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to demolition.

III. Local Policies in Guangzhou Support Independent Renewal

The 'Measures for the Expropriation and Compensation of Houses on State-Owned Land in Guangzhou' stipulate that house expropriation should be based on public interest needs and follow legal procedures. For eligible dilapidated and old houses, the government supports owners in independent renewal and original-site demolition and reconstruction, with costs shared by owners and the government subsidizing initial expenses. This policy provides a flexible path for the demolition and renovation of Grade D dangerous buildings, safeguarding residents' rights and interests while reducing financial pressure.