Over time, the communities we once knew were becoming old: from the obvious aging of buildings to the decline in environmental quality, to the lack of amenities and the lack of community management.
However, thanks to a series of government policies to benefit the people, these communities are gradually gaining new vitality.
Among them, the changes that I personally feel the most include the addition of handrails for the elderly in the corridors and the renovation of the community wall to make it more tidy.
1. Ignite the light of hope for residents
At the beginning of 2024, the National Development and Reform Commission announced an ambitious plan to install elevators as much as possible in eligible old residential areas to light up the lights of hope for residents of high-rise residential buildings.
This plan aims to comprehensively promote the aging transformation of public spaces, and the market size of its activation is expected to reach a staggering 2.6 trillion.
2. Beijing's "Elevator Map"
With the end of February approaching, Beijing launched an innovative service - "Retrofit Elevator Map".
Through this online platform, residents can easily submit applications for the installation of elevators. As long as more than two-thirds of the residents reach unanimous consent, their applications will be prioritized.
The initiative is expected to start construction of 1,000 new elevators and ensure that 600 of them will be successfully completed.
3. The different voices of community residents
Residents have different attitudes towards the elevator installation plan, with some expressing regret and others looking forward to it.
What's the story behind this? Do we really need elevators to improve our living conditions? Let's dive into it and find out.
First, the challenge of elevator installation in old communities
In our city, the old community brings a unique charm to our life, but the convenience problem is also becoming more and more prominent, especially in the elevator installation is facing many challenges.
1. Extensive retrofit needs
1.1 Huge numbers
Nationwide, the number of old residential areas has reached a staggering 170,000, covering an area of up to 4 billion square meters.
In the main 20 cities, the number of registered communities is 153,900, of which 59,600 are more than 20 years old, accounting for nearly 40%.
1.2 Regional differences are significant
Especially in Shanghai, Jinan, Beijing and other cities, the proportion of old residential areas more than 20 years old is 61%, 49% and 45% respectively, ranking among the top in the country.
To accurately understand how many of these communities are eligible for the installation of elevators, in-depth research is required, which undoubtedly increases the complexity of the retrofit.
2. Diverse needs of residents
The needs of residents are complex and diverse, from owner-occupied housing to rental housing to pooled housing, and the actual needs and living conditions behind each housing form are very different.
2.1 Divergent Opinions
Residents' views can be broadly divided into three categories:
- Supporters: It is believed that the installation of elevators has greatly improved the convenience and quality of life.
- Opponents: Seeing the potential occupation of public space, high maintenance costs and potential depreciation risks that elevator installations may bring.
- Neutral: Be open to the pros and cons of elevator installation, neither blindly for nor outright against.
2.2 Financial Burden
Despite the financial support provided by the state, residents still have to bear part of the costs.
Residents on different floors have different proportions of expenses, which is easy to cause controversy, especially the needs of residents on lower floors and the necessity of retrofitting elevators.
3. Explore solutions
In the face of these challenges, we need to explore and find solutions together to ensure that every renovation can truly improve the quality of life of residents and revitalize old communities.
2. Reshape the living environment and analyze the benefits and challenges
Since July 2020, the state has accelerated the renovation project of old residential areas, aiming to improve the quality of living and meet the needs of an aging society.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, by 2023, 53,000 old urban communities are planned to be renovated nationwide, involving 8.65 million households.
As one of the key measures of renovation, the installation of elevators not only improves the living experience of residents, but also opens up new avenues for potential growth in property values.
1. Significant benefits of elevator installation
1.1. Enhance the convenience of life for elderly residents
The installation of elevators has significantly improved the quality of life of elderly residents, especially those with reduced mobility.
It makes it easy to go up and down the stairs, increases their outdoor activities, and thus improves the happiness of life.
1.2. Value-added "old and dilapidated" properties
The new addition of elevators not only improves the living environment, but also may lead to an increase in the value of real estate in old communities, bringing potential benefits to real estate investors.
1.3. Economical over trade-in
Compared with the purchase of a new residence, the installation of elevators is a cost-effective option.
It retains the original residential conveniences while significantly reducing economic costs.
1.4. Stimulate the development of the industrial chain
It is expected that the elevator installation will bring a market size of about 2.6 trillion yuan to the domestic market, promote the development of the elevator manufacturing, sales and maintenance industry, and create more employment opportunities and economic benefits for the society.
2. Challenges in elevator installation
2.1. Uncertainty about the growth of property values
There is still uncertainty as to whether the value of the property will increase after the elevator is installed. In some neighborhoods, it may affect the stability of the building and introduce noise, which may lead to a decrease in housing prices.
2.2. Installation costs and personal burdens
Elevator installation not only requires government subsidies, but each family may also face additional expenses of 5-60,000 yuan, which is a big burden for ordinary families.
2.3. Maintenance and Operating Costs
The long-term maintenance and daily operating costs of the elevator are also important considerations. How to fairly and reasonably share these costs, especially to solve the cost difference between low-rise and high-rise residents, has become a test of community harmony.
2.4. Adaptability of old buildings
There are many challenges in the installation of elevators in old buildings, such as noise, inconvenience in use, etc., coupled with the sound insulation and structural problems of old houses, which make the actual effect of installing elevators lag behind those of new buildings.
While continuing to promote the renovation of old residential areas, how to balance the benefits and challenges of elevator installation to ensure that each renovation can truly improve the quality of life of residents is a topic that we all need to think about.
3. Elevator installation standards in old residential areas
In order to improve the living environment of the old community, the installation of elevators has become an important renovation project.
However, ensuring the smooth running of the project requires not only compliance with laws and regulations, but also extensive support and cooperation from the owner. The following are the key conditions and criteria to consider when implementing elevator retrofits.
1. Compliance basics
The target home must have been legally constructed and officially recognized for use.
Each unit must hold a valid title certificate while ensuring that it is not located within the requisition area planned by the government.
2. Consensus of owners
The successful installation of an elevator requires the consent of at least half of the owners. This consensus is embodied through a formal application and represents a democratic process of solidarity and decision-making among the owners.
3. Security guarantee
It must be ensured that the installation of the elevator does not affect the structural stability and safety of the existing building. All projects are required to comply with national requirements for building safety, fire protection codes and energy conservation standards.
4. Planning compliance approval
The elevator addition needs to conform to the urban development plan, and meet the relevant technical standards such as building structural stability, seismic performance, and fire safety. Before the project can be implemented, it must be approved by the relevant government departments.
5. Financing and follow-up maintenance
The cost of installation and subsequent maintenance of the elevator is mainly borne by the beneficiary owner. The apportionment of the cost is determined through negotiation based on factors such as the owner's floor height and the size of the house. Owners can choose to organize applications by community, building or unit, and have the right to recommend representatives or hire a professional team to carry out the construction.
4. Sharing and discussion
Although the installation of elevators can improve the quality of life of residents to a large extent, in the implementation process of the old city, it has also caused some residents to worry and reflect, and the controversy is still ongoing.
Understanding and respecting the opinions of all owners and ensuring the transparency and fairness of the project are the keys to the success of the elevator installation.
THE END
The picture comes from the Internet, invaded and deleted!