House Renovation: Considering the Direction of Prefabricated Panels

The direction of renovation for prefabricated panel houses in house renovation projects should be determined based on a comprehensive assessment of the house's safety condition, structural integrity, renovation value, residents' wishes, and local renewal plans. Common directions include maintenance and improvement, structural reinforcement, self-initiated demolition and reconstruction, and expropriation and renovation.

Maintenance and Improvement

If a prefabricated panel house is well-maintained, with its main structure still meeting usage requirements, and only has superficial facility issues such as aging exterior walls, damaged roads, and outdated piping networks, a conventional old-house renovation approach is typically adopted. This type of renovation aims to enhance living comfort and focuses on repairing or updating non-structural components, such as painting exterior walls, renovating roads, and replacing aging piping networks. Since these houses do not involve changes to the main structure, the renovation period is short and the cost is low, making them suitable for residential areas with low safety risks.

Structural Reinforcement

For prefabricated panel houses that have been professionally assessed as Class C dangerous housing (i.e., having local safety hazards but not meeting demolition criteria), reinforcement measures should be taken based on the specific damage conditions. For example, carbon fiber reinforcement of load-bearing components, adding support structures, or repairing cracks can be employed to enhance overall structural safety. Structural reinforcement requires design and construction by professional teams to ensure that the renovated house meets current safety standards for earthquake resistance and load-bearing capacity, making it suitable for houses with damaged main structures but still having renovation value.

Self-Initiated Demolition and Reconstruction

If residents have a strong desire for improvement and the house meets local planning conditions, self-initiated renewal can be achieved through demolition and reconstruction on the original site. This type of renovation must meet planning requirements such as land use, floor area ratio, and building height, and must be approved by relevant departments. Residents can raise funds themselves or introduce social capital to rebuild new houses on the original site that meet modern living standards, addressing safety hazards and enhancing living quality. This model emphasizes resident leadership and is suitable for communities with clear property rights and unified renovation wishes.

Expropriation and Renovation Projects

For Class D dangerous housing (i.e., housing with overall structural hazards and irreparable damage), policies clearly require accelerated demolition and renovation. Such houses are usually included in government-led expropriation projects, with residents being resettled through monetary compensation or property rights exchange, and public facilities or affordable housing being rebuilt on the original site. Expropriation and renovation must strictly follow legal procedures to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of residents, making them suitable for areas with significant safety hazards and no renovation value.

According to the 2026 urban renewal plan, Class C and D dangerous housing and prefabricated panel houses have been included in the scope of dilapidated housing renovation, with a goal of completing the renovation of 500,000 units (rooms) by 2030. The '15th Five-Year Plan for Urban Renewal' further clarifies the principle of 'retaining, renovating, and demolishing in combination, with a focus on retention and improvement,' emphasizing the elimination of safety hazards in Class D dangerous housing through classified policies and promoting the combination of governance and renovation of prefabricated panel houses with self-initiated renewal.