SHANGHAI will expand a trial program to tear down old buildings that cannot be saved by repairing and renovating, housing authorities said yesterday at a meeting with political advisers.

The government-sponsored practice will be adopted as a new approach in old residential community renovation, according to Jin Chen, secretary-general of Shanghai Housing and Urban-Rural Construction and Management Commission.

“It has been trialed in about 20 residential complexes around the city, which helped us and other government departments to work out related policies and fund resources,” said Jin.