Renovation of Prefabricated Panel Houses in Yuechi County

The renovation of prefabricated panel houses in Yuechi County mainly involves two aspects: the renovation of old residential areas and the installation of elevators.

Renovation of Old Residential Areas

Yuechi County has a clear plan for the renovation of old residential areas. The renovation project for old residential areas in 2025 will target 66 old residential areas, including No. 43 Angong Lane, No. 9 Baita Road, and No. 109 Daxi Street, involving 118 old buildings and 2,895 households. The renovation covers a wide range of aspects, including the updating of infrastructure such as rainwater and sewage pipelines and communication conduits to improve drainage and communication conditions in the residential areas; the implementation of road and lighting projects to enhance traffic convenience and nighttime safety in the areas; the improvement of the residential area's security system to increase residents' sense of security; the addition of parking spaces and electric vehicle charging stations to meet the growing parking and charging needs of residents; the provision of fitness equipment and cultural facilities to enrich residents' leisure lives; and the construction of barrier-free access and related facilities, demonstrating care for special groups. Through these renovation measures, the living environment and quality of life in old residential areas will be comprehensively improved.

Installation of Elevators

There is some controversy regarding the installation of elevators. Taking Unit 1, Building 2, in the courthard residential area at No. 26 Xinfeng Road, Yuechi County, as an example, this building is an old prefabricated panel structure. The homeowner, Xiong Zhuang, raised objections to the installation of an elevator in the existing residential building. He was concerned about whether the architectural design, earthquake resistance, and structural aspects of the old prefabricated panel building met the relevant requirements for elevator installation. He also pointed out issues in the elevator planning and approval process by the Yuechi County Natural Resources and Planning Bureau, such as granting elevator installation planning permission despite knowing that the applicant had not provided a judicial ruling document, which did not comply with regulations; violating the Administrative Licensing Law by depriving the public of the right to a hearing; and violating the Earthquake Disaster Prevention and Reduction Law, posing significant safety hazards. However, the Yuechi County Natural Resources and Planning Bureau replied that the applicant had provided the "Statement on the Public Notice of Elevator Installation in Existing Residential Buildings" as required and that it had been verified by the community that the conditions for elevator installation in existing residential buildings had been met, and that the approval stage did not involve handling objections. This indicates that there are differing viewpoints among different entities during the elevator installation process, and relevant departments need to make judgments strictly in accordance with regulations and actual circumstances during the approval process.