Residents have moved back to Chunyang Lane in Hongkou District, Shanghai after the protective neighborhood completed buildings’ inside renovation.

The lane before the renovation.

The lane after the renovation.

Built in 1921- 1936, Chunyang Lane which is mostly two-floored and some has a third-floor attic is a typical old Shikumen lane residence.

The lane before the renovation.

The lane after the renovation.

According to Yang Tao, deputy director of Hongkou District Housing-ensuring Real Estate Management Administration, to protect the historical features of the lane, experienced designers have been employed to deal with the interior housing safety problem on the basis of remaining the exterior construction features.

During the renovation, the design plan has been changed for more than 20 times and made adjustments according to residents’reasonable advice.

It makes each family a separate set of residence with its own kitchen and washroom, solving insects and moisture problems. Pipelines and wires are placed well, eliminating safety hazards.