Architecture can bring about better living conditions in older neighborhoods in China while preserving the history, culture, and heritage of that place through acceptable social and economical means.
Demolition of older residential blocks is common place in many smaller Chinese cities today. Although these residential blocks have historical and cultural value, they are seldom maintained well by residents. The government has no qualms about tearing down these housing blocks in the city core and replacing them with commercial buildings as the city slowly loses its residents as well as its culture.
Occupants of these older neighborhoods are relocated to newer residential areas, far away from the city and its amenities. Resistance leads to force, as older members of the residents are forced to leave houses they have lived in for their entire lives. The government has the resources and manpower to renovate these older housing blocks. Most of these residential blocks can be reprogrammed and reorganized to suit the modern lifestyle of the occupants. Handicap accessbility, stormwater drainage, and fire-resistance are just a few things that can be improved.
Sustainable passive and active strategies can increase the living comfort of residents at minimal costs. Most of the people living in these older blocks are the elderly, and not enough is provided for them in these housing conditions. Renovations to these blocks are also encourage younger generations to live there. These housing blocks are capable of becoming self-sustaining communities public amenities and small commercial areas within them.
