The Jing'an District government announced plans yesterday to renovate the shared kitchens and hallways in many old residential buildings in the area.

The project, which is expected to take two years and cost some 52 million yuan (US$6.3 million), is expected to benefit 150,000 local residents living in old apartments with public kitchens and corridors, many of which are in such bad shape they are considered a serious fire hazard.

The district, which is situated in downtown Shanghai, is home to a large number of old residential buildings including traditional shikumen and European-styled garden apartments.

Many of the buildings are over crowded and public areas haven't been properly renovated for decades.

Kitchens are often lined with a tangle of old electric wires covered in years of oil and dirt.

"The residents have installed additional wires by themselves to meet increased demand for power," said district spokesman Li Weiping. "Thick networks of over-worked electric wires have become hidden hazards and could lead to a serious fire."

Many such fires have occurred over the past several years, said Li, although he wouldn't give detailed numbers.

The district finally decided to take action on the problem last August when an electrical fire killed two people in the Jiangning Residential Area.

Li said the government began by doing a thorough survey of the district to calculate the extent of the problem, and then began renovations in five residential areas late last year as a trial program. Those renovations were completed in December and were well received, he said.

Residents will be offered three options.

For those unwilling to pay any portion of the cost, the district will shell out 1,000 yuan per household to replace all electrical wires in common areas and envelope them in a protective pipe.

For those willing to cover part of the expense, the government will also renovate and clean up public areas.

"Narrow public spaces and dirty environments have caused many conflicts among residents. We hope the renovation project will also enhance harmony among neighbors in addition to preventing fires," Li said.

The district's housing administration and maintenance office will manage the renovation work and pick up 7.5 million yuan of the final tab, with the district government paying the remaining 45 million yuan.

(People's Daily February 2, 2004)