The local government of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is planning to renovate the city's old, shabby houses over the next five years, Wang Guoping, Hangzhou's Party secretary, said.

These old houses, surrounded by more modern projects such as high-rise blocks and roads, have long been a blight on the cityscape.

The government has not yet worked out how much the project will cost, although residents themselves will have to pay towards some of the work.

Hangzhou, home to 6.5 million people, has 18,000 old brick and wooden houses occupying 1 million square meters. This includes 99 sites on the city's protection list, according to a recent survey conducted by the Hangzhou House Administration Bureau.

Most old houses lack proper kitchens and toilet facilities, electricity and telephone lines, and water and gas pipes have not been properly installed.

Residents have extended their houses randomly, something that has failed to meet basic construction plans and fire-control standards, according to the survey.

Houses more than 50 years old, and those with architectural significance, will be placed under the city's protection plan, said house bureau officials, adding that details of the five-year plan have still not been decided.

Renovation of shabby houses will focus on the walls, doors, floors and windows, and pipes and wiring.

Kitchens, toilets and balconies will be built to ensure residents enjoy better living conditions.

Grandma Li, one of the tens of thousands of residents living in such housing, has been waiting a long time for a better home.

The 65-year-old has lived nearly 40 years in her old house in Xiaoying Lane, leading a simple life in the dark, damp house with her husband.

"I dream of a house, not fancy or large, but bright and dry," said Li.

Most residents in these houses are old people who are happy to have the chance to renovate their old houses, Li said.

(China Daily December 12, 2005)