Demolition of Prefabricated Slab Houses in Nanjing

Not all prefabricated slab houses in Nanjing will be demolished. The current policy direction is 'tiered handling,' with the decision to demolish or not primarily based on the 'House Safety Appraisal Report' rather than the age of the building.

I. Tiered Handling Standards According to the 'Standards for Appraisal of Dangerous Buildings' (JGJ 125-2016), prefabricated slab buildings are classified into four levels of danger:

• Grade A and B: The structure is basically safe with no structural risks. Over 70% of prefabricated slab buildings nationwide fall into this category, and their likely fate is 'urban renewal,' which involves renovations to improve living conditions rather than demolition. Examples include reinforcing the building, upgrading pipelines, and adding elevators.
• Grade C: Some load-bearing structures do not meet standards, posing a partial risk. These buildings can be restored to safety through reinforcement projects and can continue to be inhabited without demolition.
• Grade D: The load-bearing structure has completely failed, and the entire building is at risk of collapse at any time. Such dangerous buildings must be demolished, but Grade D prefabricated slab houses account for less than 4% nationwide, making them a minority.

II. Practical Challenges in Demolition

1. Financial Pressure: Demolishing prefabricated slab houses requires significant funds, and the cost of complete demolition and reconstruction is high. Currently, funding mainly relies on a collaborative model of 'government subsidies + corporate participation + resident contributions,' but implementation is difficult. Residents face significant financial pressure, and some projects are delayed due to local financial constraints.
2. Divergent Opinions Among Owners: The interests and demands of owners during the demolition process are complex, leading to decision-making difficulties. For example, older residents may be reluctant to move due to habits or financial pressure, while younger generations hope for new homes to improve living conditions. Businesses worry about losses in operating income, and residents have disputes over compensation standards and relocation plans.
3. Resistance in Policy Implementation: Even if a building is appraised as a Grade D dangerous building, demolition still requires coordinating multiple interests, including property ownership, compensation standards, and relocation transitions. If owners cannot reach a consensus, projects may be stalled for a long time.

III. Policy Orientation and Recommendations The current policy focuses on 'ensuring safety and benefiting the people,' prioritizing urban renewal to improve living quality and only demolishing a very small number of Grade D dangerous buildings. Residents can proactively apply for house safety appraisals and cooperate with government plans based on the appraisal results. If a building poses safety risks, it is advisable to promptly communicate with relevant departments to understand reinforcement or demolition plans; if the building is safe, residents can participate in urban renewal projects to improve their living environment.