Prefabricated Houses from the 1980s

Prefabricated houses from the 1980s were residential buildings constructed by assembling factory-prefabricated components on-site. They suffer from issues such as poor earthquake resistance and expired lifespans. Currently, policies prohibit the construction of new ones, with existing houses primarily undergoing renovation and reinforcement, while dilapidated and old houses will be gradually demolished with compensation provided.

Construction Background and Characteristics

Prefabricated houses from the 1980s were widely adopted during the urbanization process from the 1950s to the 1980s. Their core feature was "factory prefabrication + on-site assembly." Components such as cement slabs and floor slabs were pre-made in factories and then quickly assembled on-site like "LEGO bricks." This construction method, characterized by short construction periods and low costs, effectively alleviated the urban housing shortage at the time and became the mainstream approach for rapidly meeting residential needs.

Existing Problems and Risks

Over time, the drawbacks of prefabricated houses have become apparent:

1. Structural Safety Hazards: Corrosion of steel reinforcement and increased cracks at component connections have significantly reduced earthquake resistance. Some houses, neglected over the years, have experienced peeling wall surfaces, wall cracks, and even partial collapses, being classified as Grade D dilapidated houses (severely damaged structures at risk of imminent collapse).
2. Low Living Comfort: Poor sound insulation makes activities from upstairs clearly audible; weak thermal insulation results in cold winters and hot summers; outdated supporting facilities include a lack of elevators, insufficient gas supply, and a scarcity of green spaces and public areas.
3. Expired Design Lifespan: The design lifespan of prefabricated houses is typically 40 years. By 2024, a large number of houses have "exceeded their service life," with further degradation in structural performance, posing significant safety risks.

Policy Orientation and Handling Methods

1. Prohibition of New Construction: In 2023, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and other departments explicitly stipulated that within urban construction land areas, the construction, renovation, and expansion of prefabricated houses and other buildings not meeting current standards are prohibited.
2. Classification and Disposal of Existing Houses:
   • Renovation and Reinforcement: For houses with structural integrity that do not meet the criteria for dilapidated houses, safety and living quality are enhanced through wall reinforcement, pipeline updates, and the addition of thermal insulation layers.
   • Demolition and Reconstruction: Priority is given to demolishing Grade D dilapidated houses, those built before the 1980s with outdated facilities, and those located in core urban areas or key renovation zones. For example, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, plans to demolish and renovate 200,000 square meters of prefabricated houses by 2025.
3. Compensation Methods: Demolition compensation typically includes on-site relocation (proportional replacement with new houses) and monetary compensation (cash payments based on market prices), with specific plans determined by local policies and resident preferences.

Key Targets for Demolition

1. Houses identified as Grade D dilapidated;
2. Houses built before the 1980s with severely aged facilities;
3. Houses located in core urban areas, old city renovation zones, and other key planning areas;
4. Areas with high resident support rates (determined through consultation or voting).