Children have a ball in new playground in a renovated residential area in Hohhot. [Photo/Hohhot news network]

Ambitious plans to renovate all 309 old residential areas this year in Hohhot – capital of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region – have been completed.

That's benefited 51,085 households, with the work covering a total building area of 4.2 million square meters.

Since 2011, Hohhot has launched a sweeping renovation project for old residential areas. It's focused on environmental improvement, housing renovation and maintenance – as well as improving support facilities, implementing energy-saving measures and establishing long-term management mechanisms. By the end of this year, over 3,000 old residential areas have been comprehensively renovated.

The Hugang Residential Area, a rundown precinct in Huimin district, covers a total building area of 60,200 sq m and has 1,427 permanent households. The 11 rows of bungalows there were built in 1958 and have long been in a dilapidated state.

This year, Huimin district included the Hugang Residential Area in the renovation plan, with a focus on improving community services and creating a livable environment – as well as promoting low-carbon and intelligent transformation – to ensure a complete community development.

The renovation efforts have covered various aspects, from demolishing illegal structures, repainting buildings and adding green spaces to enhancing the appearance of the residential areas. They've extended to upgrading and unblocking key domestic supply facilities – such as water, electricity, gas and heating systems – all to improve the living conditions of residents.

New facilities include childcare centers and eldercare restaurants, while senior day care centers have been built. A sports hall – equipped with badminton and table tennis courts, a gym and other venues – has also been constructed to address the lack of fitness facilities in the neighborhood.