The engineering quality, transformation, and upgrade of Zhuhai's construction sector have resulted in multiple national awards since 2020, reaching an advanced provincial level, the Municipal People's Government announced July 6.

At the apex of the awards list, the School of Atmospheric Sciences Building at Sun Yat-sen University in Tangjiawan and Zhuhai Tower in Shizimen Central Business District each received 2020-21 China Construction Engineering Luban Prizes, the top honor of China's construction industry, in February.

Last year Zhuhai garnered one Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize, one National Quality Engineering Award, 11 Guangdong Quality Engineering Awards, and nine Guangdong Golden Craftsmanship Awards for Construction Projects.

Zhuhai Tower in Shizimen is 330 m (1,083 ft) tall [File photo]

A wide range of architecture styles has appeared in recent years during continual urban construction. Today, the floor area of ongoing local construction projects exceeds 50 million sqm (124 acres).

Controlling quality, the city has a coupling management for construction markets and sites. Parties must fulfill their responsibilities, keenly supervise construction quality, invite third-party institutions for quality inspection, and foster backbone enterprises as role models, says Lyu Zhiqi, deputy director of the city's Housing & Urban-Rural Planning & Construction Bureau.

Furthermore, market credit is supervised with all-round coverage on every link from real estate development, construction, and supervision, to surveying, design, cost consultation, and workers.

Since 2020, Zhuhai has conducted 18 inspections pertaining to construction quality, comprehensive law enforcement, and construction materials. There have been notices issued for 84 construction suspensions, 36 partial construction suspensions, 185 rectifications, and 255 credit point deductions.

Moreover, the bureau has issued Zhuhai Residence Safety Management Methods, clarified responsibilities for regular checks, repairs, and maintenance, as well as time limits for inspections on various parts of building structures. 

Citywide old or hazardous buildings have been screened for timely treatment since 2015. Residential communities built before late 2000 are listed as a priority for renovation during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).

To ensure the quality of indemnificatory (affordable) housing, the Quality Safety Section has strengthened supervision and treatment of common failings, and promoted household acceptance and model unit systems.