Lack of elevators is a sore inconvenience for people living in multistoried buildings that were mostly built in the last century. Numerous elders living in buildings without elevators are unable to climb long flights of stairs and become confined at home.

Making provisions for elevators is an aspect of people-oriented development. Renovation of old neighborhoods and putting in elevators can substantially improve residents' quality of life. Besides, the program will also lead to investment and job opportunities.

As a measure to expand investment, the country began renovating 39,000 old urban residential communities last year, supporting plumbing and wiring upgrading in old residential buildings and installing elevators.

The work is demanding and the government has to solve numerous disputes over the rights and interests of different parties. Recently, various localities have issued policies and guidelines to help old communities install elevators.

More experience is needed to deal with people's problems and concerns, and become better at reaching an agreement with residents during negotiations.

This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published inEconomic Daily on March 29   

(Print Edition Title: An Elevated Lifestyle)