This study aims to clarify the transition in the housing environment in inferior urban habitations in Changchun City from 1997 to 2007. The results are as follows:
• While inferior houses have increased in size, the extent of the increase is less than that observed in general houses.
• The inhabitants' proprietorship with regard to the land use right and the house has improved, and each type of habitation exhibits certain specific feature.
• Coal is still used as the main energy source because it is the traditional fuel for floor heating.
