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Apartment Renovation Offers Alternative to Urban Reconstruction

NewsChina, Chinese Edition May 27, 2024

By NewsChina Updated Aug.1

China is spearheading an innovative approach to urban renewal, revitalizing dilapidated communities without displacing their original residents. In Shanghai, aging buildings constructed between the 1950s and 1970s are giving way to modern apartments with kitchens and lavatories. Municipally financed, these renovations commence with majority approval from residents, a significant portion of whom subsist on modest means. Meanwhile, in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, refurbished apartments are exclusively allocated to the original families who shoulder the renovation costs. State-owned enterprises oversee the process, managing blueprints and budgets. These endeavors enhance living standards. However, tensions may arise if unanimity proves elusive among neighbors. While these initiatives herald a new era in property development, it is vital to tailor solutions to local contexts, especially when facing opposition.  
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