Management of Prefabricated Panel Houses

The management of prefabricated panel houses requires targeted measures based on the actual condition of the houses, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach of demolition. Instead, it follows a three-pronged management model of 'retention, renovation, and demolition'.

I. Management Principles and Policy Orientation

Starting from 2026, the management of prefabricated panel houses has been incorporated into the scope of urban renewal and the renovation of dilapidated housing. The policy explicitly prohibits large-scale demolition and construction, requiring updates to be carried out through methods such as demolition and new construction, renovation and improvement, and a combination of demolition and renovation. All existing old buildings and prefabricated panel buildings uniformly implement the 'retention, renovation, and demolition' model, with the handling method determined primarily based on the safety status of the houses rather than their age or building names. The renovation goals include repair and reinforcement, demolition and reconstruction, etc., rather than complete demolition.

II. Specific Classification-Based Management Paths

1. Prefabricated panel buildings with safe structures and intact main bodies
   These buildings are uniformly retained and renovated, with living quality improved through renovation and rectification (such as external wall insulation, roof waterproofing, and pipeline updates) and the improvement of supporting facilities (such as the installation of elevators and the addition of parking spaces), while retaining the original building structure.

2. Buildings with partial aging and minor hazards
   For issues such as wall cracks, loose connections between beams and panels, and aging facilities, targeted repair and reinforcement measures are taken, such as reinforcing load-bearing components, replacing aging pipelines, upgrading fire protection facilities, and repairing local damage such as water seepage and corrosion to restore the normal use of the buildings.

3. Buildings with severe structural damage classified as Grade C or D dilapidated houses

   • Grade C dilapidated houses: The local load-bearing structure does not meet safety requirements, but hazards can be eliminated through engineering measures (such as reinforcing beams and columns and repairing cracks), with reinforcement and repair being the priority choice; if the building is severely aged, has concentrated functional defects, and the residents have a unified willingness, it can also enter the reconstruction path.
   • Grade D dilapidated houses: The load-bearing structure can no longer meet safety requirements, and the entire building poses a major hazard. They must be included in the scope of demolition and relocation, and the renovation should be accelerated to eliminate safety hazards.

III. Management Basis and Decision-Making Factors

Whether a building can continue to be used requires a comprehensive assessment of factors such as foundation settlement, the condition of load-bearing walls, the connection between beams and panels, concrete aging, water seepage and corrosion, seismic capacity, and whether the load-bearing structure has been擅自 (unauthorizedly) altered. Safety appraisals classify the condition of buildings into Grade C (locally dangerous) and Grade D (overall dangerous), with the handling focus based on the degree of danger rather than the age of the building. The specific management method needs to be determined in combination with the appraisal conclusions, planning conditions, financial capabilities, and the results of resident consultations. Some regions have formed diversified practices such as relocation, owner-funded reinforcement, and owner-funded original-site reconstruction.