Shanghai uses intelligence to facilitate public rental housing

The Shanghai government recently named nine public rental housing communities as the first batch of the city’s new innovative project to offer more convenience to tenants, Jiefang Daily reported.

Half of the communities have adopted advanced technologies, such as facial recognition and online house selection, for better community management.

The technologies have enhanced the experience of tenants and improved the circulation efficiency of public rental housing. New tech has become a trend to manage Shanghai’s public rental houses since the project was launched in 2010.

Wang Yuanfeng, a tenant living in a public rental apartment in Baoshan District, said it costs him 800 yuan ($121.22) a month for a 40-square-meter apartment.

Wang’s community is well-equipped with facilities like basketball and tennis courts, convenience stores, electric car rentals, and intelligent washing machines.

The occupancy rate of new public rental houses in Pudong District has been elevated to 93 percent so far, said a person in charge of a public rental housing investment and operation company in Pudong.