Conserving 0ld Houses in China
2 min readConserving 0ld Houses
Many old houses now face the threat of demolition.Statistics also indicate that Beijing’s alleys decrease at the rate of 600 per year.The Beijing municipal government has designated 25 conservation areas for old houses that cover 37 percent of the old downtown area.They mostly comprise Ming and Qing dynasties siheyuan.Theremaining 60 percent of old houses，of no less historical value，remain unprotected.
This has prompted enquiries from various quarters into ways of conserving these examples of Chinese residential architecture.In Zhangwan Village，Zhangjiawan Town，Tongzhou District of Beijing，one area consisting of various siheyuan has been converted into a siheyuan museum.
The Hangzhou municipal government recently issued a decree regarding the conservation of old houses.It was executed by volunteers familiar with the territory.They were also made responsible for searching out and recommending old houses that merit conservation，on the basis of historical，cultural and scientific value.
The Suzhou municipal government is trying out a new conservation mode.The government allocates funds to the renovation of infrastructure facilities，and residents themselves contribute funds towards refurbishing interiors，on the understanding that they conserve the original framework.
In view of the Chinese preference for courtyards，real estate developers in various localities are optimistic about the future of courtyard-style commodit housing.Contemporary courtyard houses are equipped with modern living facilities，as well as efficient sound insulation.
Due to land scarcity，most new courtyard housing is in remote areas.The number of such houses is small，and their prices are high.Even so，they sell like hotcakes.
