Shanghai has started renovating its historic residential quarters in a bid to restore their past grandeur, as well as to improve the living conditions of residents, according to the Shanghai Housing, Land and Resources Bureau.

The 30 projects to be covered this year are located in eight downtown districts including Xuhui, Luwan, Changning, Jing'an and Hongkou, bureau officials said. Twelve projects have started and the preparation for the other 18 is on-going.

Most of the buildings date from the 1920s and 30s, and feature the unique Shanghainese architectural style, according to bureau officials.

Each of the 30 projects will be tailor-made, for the purpose of fully-restoring the original features and ambience.

The renovations, if we take the Shanyin Road-area as an example, will take two years to complete.
In addition, the public environment will be improved at the same time, bureau officials said.

Greenery will be upgraded and roads will be re-surfaced, while the 15-watt incandescence bulbs currently used in public areas will be replaced with energy-efficient lighting.

(Shanghai Daily August 23, 2005)