Two newly constructed side by side buildings in China are now touching - residents are scared

[Liberal_in_LA]

These pictures show the crumbling concrete at the top of two newly-built tower blocks in China - amid claims they are starting to topple towards each other.

The 15-storey blocks were built in Shanghai, eastern China two years ago to offer accommodation to people relocated to make way for a Disney theme park.

But residents who live in the high-rise apartments, in the Pudong New Area in Chuansha Town, say the original narrow gap between the buildings has disappeared and they are now touching.

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However his remarks have done little to settle the fears of people who were promised they could settle in 'model' relocation homes.

Qin said: 'I have gone back but I haven't been able to sleep at all since. I keep expecting it to fall down.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2849017/The-leaning-towers-Shanghai-Tower-blocks-built-two-years-ago-people-forced-make-way-new-Disney-theme-park-holding-up.html#ixzz3K8M0KCpx

[Suich]

1. Well, that can't be good.

[Warpy]

2. Those buildings could hold each other up like a couple of old drunks for a while

but as time goes on, the substandard foundations will continue to fail, windows will pop, doors will either stick or be impossible to close, and people in them will have to fear any minor temblor.

It's not just the foundation, it looks like the concrete is bad, too.

China desperately needs a body of law to deal with building standards and inspections, with teardowns mandated for anything that looks like this so soon after construction.

I know I'd be looking for someplace else to live.

[Johonny]

4. It's not that they need a body of law

they need enforcement. China's main problem is regulations often exist and are often rather strict. They know how to build good buildings. Hell there government is filled with scientists and engineers unlike our government. So what goes wrong. China is a free market dream filled with government corruption. Indeed government corruption has plagued China since... well forever. Literally the breakdown in governance in cycles of corruption go way back into Chinese history. Will the current one party system be able to stamp out corruption? They're not doing a great job in Hong Kong although in other provinces they've made token sweeping changes. Likely as long as free market capitalism flows and government workers remain hopelessly behind the pay curve, corruption will reign. The corrupt generally only pay the price if the building falls down and people die, but sometimes not even then.

[Warpy]

9. True, that, they need to develop an enforcement infrastructure.

In the meantime, they don't demolish them any better than they build them: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1239841/Youre-doing-wrong-Chinese-demolition-men-accidentally-create-leaning-tower-Liuzhou.html

[Liberal_in_LA]

11. "hold each other up like a couple of old drunks" lol

funny analogy.

I agree - time to move!

[dreamnightwind]

3. Disney's theme park for the rest of us

The Leaning Towers of Shanghai (or any other town where people are relocated for corporate profit)

[Recursion]

5. Huh. Same design as this one, which fell over

Maybe it's time to get a new architect.

[bluesbassman]

8. I've got a great idea! Let's use conduit for the wiring AND pilings! Think of the money we'll save!

[0rganism]

6. they're about to merge to form 1 larger building!

it'll be amazing to see, but you don't want to be inside when it happens...

[Warpy]

10. I don't think corner apartments on those corners

are going to be worth much as time goes on.

[ManiacJoe]

7. Seems like they had a similar problem

in Pisa, Italy, some years back...