There's a type of housing unique to Shanghai, dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It's called 'Shikumen', and unless decisive preservation measures are enacted, it could soon disappear in a tide of development. That's why locals are uniting to apply for UNESCO World-Heritage status.

 'Shikumen' in Shanghai

Located at Xinzha Road and Datian Road, Dongsiwenli is one of the largest surviving Shikumen complexes in Shanghai.

Saved from demolition thanks to the efforts of Shanghai residents and officials, the now unoccupied buildings are earmarked for renovation instead.

"We'll restore the original appearance of the complex in the old days, though with modern interpretation. We'll also set up some public-service venues for culture, art, and business," said Guo Zicheng from E. China Architectural Design & Research Inst..

Since the 1980s, 70% of Shanghai's old Shikumen buildings have been pulled down. At that rate, they will all but disappear by 2020.

In the past three years, however, the local government has put some 260 neighbourhoods on a protection list.

"We plan to divide the protection into three levels: the first tier is to keep and protect all the original architecture; the second tier is to mix new elements into old buildings; and the third tier is to rebuild the old architecture with some historic elements," said Zhuang Shaoqin, Director of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Land & Resources.

From now on, Shanghai's remaining Shikumen buildings are under a more watchful eye.