Since the middle of the last century, when the People’s Republic of China was formed, the authorities decided to make a datzayuan out of the once rich courtyards – to settle several families in one siheyuan, with a family in each room.
The courtyards were also built up, and it turned out to be something like a communal house.
In Beijing, about 400 thousand such courtyards have been preserved.
The problem is that the buildings are dilapidated and often do not even contain basic amenities in the form of toilets, water, electricity – they have become like slums, barracks. But all the same, residents do not seek to leave here, because they are used to living like this for generations. In addition, being in the historical center of the city gives them the opportunity to run a family business – many open outlets, cafes, shops right at home.
Despite the dilapidation, prices in such houses are sky-high and start from thousands of dollars per square meter.
Every year more and more families from datsayuan are relocated to new, more spacious apartments, and high-rise residential blocks are being built on the site of their former houses. Courtyards with a special history are preserved by placing museums there.
In recent years, there has been a trend of housing construction in the spirit of Siheyuan. However, they are more modern, with a pipeline, water supply and energy supply in the form of solar panels.
Many Chinese tend to go to the cities. There is not enough space for everyone, especially in megacities, so houses with dozens of floors are being built everywhere. Housing in the center is considered more prestigious, looks futuristic, while the panel blocks on the periphery seem one-faced.
Many Chinese tend to go to the cities. There is not enough space for everyone, especially in megacities, so houses with dozens of floors are being built everywhere. Housing in the center is considered prestigious-9 high-rises are combined into one courtyard. The merit of the Chinese authorities is that they are trying to make the house territory comfortable: only underground parking is equipped for cars, and the courtyards are free, equipped with paths, decorative stones, trees, greenery, small ponds and playgrounds.it looks futuristic, while the panel blocks on the periphery seem one-faced.