Work on the first specially designed community for Chinese senior citizens will begin in Shanghai Nanhui District on Wednesday.

When Qinheyuan Community opens in October next year it'll feature 12 apartment buildings exclusively for the use of senior citizens. 

At the end of 2005 downtown Shanghai was home to more than 2.66 million people aged over 60. This accounts for about 20 percent of downtown residents according to the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau.

Many elderly people in Shanghai live with their children but a growing number are living on their own which creates a need for more retirement and nursing homes.

Based on the experiences of other countries, Shanghai Newgench Enterprise Group Co. Ltd., with the cooperation of local government are investing 300 million yuan (US$37 million) in the project.

Apartments in the community will not be for sale but leased out to woman over 55 and men over 60. 

The community will have 12 buildings with 910 apartments and various facilities including health care services. The community will be home to around 1,600 residents. The average monthly rent for an apartment is expected to be around 3,000 yuan.

"All the equipment has been set up for elderly people," said Newgench's Assistant General Manager, Jing Ruikai. Alarm systems and infrared monitors will be installed in all rooms and corridors. 

(Shanghai Daily April 14, 2006)