Can Old Precast Panel Houses Be Demolished?

Not all old precast panel houses can be demolished; it depends on specific circumstances. The demolition policy introduced in 2025 adheres to the principle of 'precisely targeting high-risk houses', meaning that only precast panel houses meeting certain conditions will be demolished, while the rest will undergo renovation through old-community improvements or be retained for use. Specifically, the following are three types of demolishable houses and reasons for non-demolition:

I. Types of Houses Eligible for Demolition

1. Grade D Dangerous Houses
   Precast panel houses identified as Grade D dangerous houses by professional institutions must be demolished. The criteria for this classification include foundation settlement exceeding 5 centimeters, cracks in load-bearing walls wider than 1 millimeter, and seismic resistance below 70% of current standards. These houses pose a significant safety risk, and continued occupation could lead to severe accidents such as collapse. For example, a house in a certain area was forced to be demolished after being identified as a Grade D dangerous house due to foundation settlement causing a tilt angle exceeding 5 degrees.

2. Houses Vulnerable to Natural Disasters
   Precast panel houses with seismic resistance below 70% of current standards or those prone to flooding (such as those located in low-lying areas without flood control facilities) fall within the scope of demolition. For instance, an old residential community with outdated seismic design was included in the demolition plan due to its extremely high risk of collapse during simulated earthquake tests.

3. Houses Affecting Urban Planning
   Precast panel houses located within the planning areas for major infrastructure projects such as subways and elevated highways need to make way for urban development. For example, precast panel residences within a 50-meter radius of a planned new subway station in a certain area were uniformly demolished.

II. Reasons for Non-Demolition

1. Large Quantity and Practical Constraints
   The number of existing precast panel houses nationwide is vast, and demolishing them all at once would require enormous funds and long-term resettlement plans. Current policies prioritize 'phased handling'.

2. Diverse Resident Opinions
   Some residents of old houses have differing views on compensation standards and resettlement methods, making it difficult to advance demolition work. For example, a project was forced to be suspended because 30% of residents in a certain community opposed the demolition compensation plan.

3. Some Houses Can Be Renovated Through Old-Community Improvements
   Well-maintained precast panel houses can have their service life extended through measures such as foundation reinforcement, crack repair, and the addition of seismic structures. For example, a community avoided demolition by installing steel supports and replacing load-bearing components, raising its seismic resistance to 85% of current standards.

In conclusion, whether old precast panel houses can be demolished requires a comprehensive assessment of structural safety, natural disaster resistance, and urban planning needs, while also taking into account practical conditions and resident opinions.