Introduction. The problem of rehabilitation and modernization of panel residential buildings covered many European countries in the nineties. The renovation programme started in Moscow in 2017. Despite the typical panel mass housing construction in European countries and in Russia, there are still many urban planning, architectural and construction differences, and therefore different methods of residential renovation have been adopted. Considerable positive and negative construction experience has been accumulated over the past period which should be taken into account for the extension of the renovation to Russian regions.
Materials and methods. The analysis of socio-economic methods of rehabilitation and modernization of residential buildings in several European countries was carried out, and the experience of residential buildings renovation in Moscow was studied in detail. The organizational and financial conditions for the implementation of residential rehabilitation and renovation programs have been studied and a number of features have been noted.
Results. Based on the studied methods of implementation of rehabilitation, modernization and renovation programs in European cities and in Moscow, a table with positive and negative factors was compiled. Considering these factors, a flowchart for the choice of renovation method in relation to the specific built-up area was developed. The socio-economic vector ofthe renovation programme on the management of the housing and communal services has been proposed.
Conclusions. When choosing a method of renovation of residential buildings, it is necessary to consider the interests of residents and business entities. For megacities where the number and density of the population is high, the Moscow model of renovation may be preferable, taking into account positive and negative experience. For small cities in Russia, where low-rise buildings are of historical and architectural value and a population density is low, the European renovation experience can be applied. When developing renovation programs, it is important to maintain a balance between new construction and the preservation of historically established urban development.