In Minsk, almost a thousand Khrushchev-era buildings — they will be dealt with soon

The word "renovation" is increasingly heard from high rostrums. The course towards "upgrading" old housing was outlined back in 2024, when the draft Concept of State Housing Policy until 2030 was discussed. At that time, a rather bold formulation was also voiced: "following the example of our Russian colleagues", writes Onliner.by.

— Renovation involves increasing building density while maintaining comfort. A fairly significant part of the housing stock in the country has, if not critical operating periods, then very serious wear and tear. And we cannot constantly carry out major repairs and try to maintain this fund in proper condition. Especially since major repairs do not provide for an improvement in the level of amenities. Therefore, following the example of our Russian colleagues, it's time for us to move to the topic of renovation, — explained the former Minister of Architecture and Construction.

This news both frightened and fascinated: will they not start demolishing Khrushchev-era buildings here and erecting high-rise buildings in their place? At least, that's what's happening in Moscow — with those very "Russian colleagues".

In 2025, when the Concept was adopted, a little more clarity emerged. Renovation began to be understood as "improving the technical and economic characteristics of existing residential buildings or erecting new residential buildings instead of demolished ones, including using existing foundations and engineering networks".

It was separately stipulated that the financing of renovation projects would be carried out at the expense of local budget funds and private investments.

For owners of housing subject to renovation, it is planned to create an "optimal algorithm for exercising rights": people will be able to receive monetary compensation or equivalent housing in terms of area, including in houses subject to renovation.

And so, gradually, the general theory is beginning to take on concrete features. The Minister of Architecture and Construction, Alexander Studnev, spoke about the prospects for renovating Khrushchev-era buildings to the magazine "Economy of Belarus".

"There are 2,568 so-called Khrushchev-era buildings in Belarus, their total area is about 10 million square meters, of which panel buildings account for 1,864, or about 7 million square meters. In Minsk, there are 890 panel buildings from 1955-1975, totaling about 3 million sq. m, whose normative 25-year service life has long expired," the minister said.

That is why, in the state housing construction program for 2026-2030, the renovation of the housing stock is one of the priority tasks.

After the completion of the development of the legal framework for the renovation of territories and specific buildings, a strategy will be defined for the demolition or restoration of the housing stock that requires modern solutions and approaches.

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