Urban Renewal and Transformation of Historic Cities

The renovated Houhu Lake in Changsha is picturesque. [Photo provided by China Daily]

According to a senior official, Changsha, a renowned historical and cultural city in Hunan Province in central China, is setting new benchmarks for urban renewal to enhance the city’s image and improve residents’ quality of life.

“Through urban renewal, the quality of the urban living environment has continued to improve,” said Zhou Fei, Director of the Changsha Municipal Bureau of Human Settlements.

He pointed out that the city boasts a long history spanning 100,000 to 150,000 years and adheres to a people-centered development philosophy.

In 2019, the government established this bureau ahead of most Chinese cities. According to Zhou, it is committed to safeguarding both ancient and modern architectural treasures while carrying out urban renewal in a more scientific, efficient, and precise manner.

Zhou stated that the bureau has creatively developed a six-step approach to urban renewal, encompassing a comprehensive urban health check, the refinement of organizational mechanisms, the formulation of renewal plans, phased implementation of renewal projects, dynamic monitoring, and public outreach to promote livability.

As a fundamental component of urban renewal, the urban health checkup encompasses 61 indicators, many of which address the most pressing concerns faced by residents in older residential neighborhoods, such as education, insufficient hospital beds, and inadequate parking spaces, among others.

Zhou said that, for a residential area designated as a historical site, most of the buildings on the compound will be preserved and meticulously restored in accordance with their original blueprints.

The renovated Changsha Baiguoyuan community features a traditional architectural style. [Photo provided by China Daily]

As a result, it resembles an ancient courtyard, preserving numerous historical relics that bring the city’s past to life, while its functions and amenities have been significantly upgraded.

For ordinary older residential communities, unauthorized structures will be demolished, the water supply and drainage networks will be reconfigured, and facilities such as nursing homes, health centers, public fitness centers, 5G base stations, and new‑energy infrastructure will be added and upgraded. Zhou pointed out that charging stations will also be installed, and public spaces like green areas and parks will be improved.

In densely populated key areas, local governments will also upgrade residents’ infrastructure and public amenities, such as constructing new schools, hospitals, roads, and public parking facilities.

From 2019 to 2020, Changsha renovated 225 old residential communities; this year, the number will increase to 368, and next year it will rise to 576.

Official data show that this measure will benefit approximately 300,000 households nationwide.

From 2016 to 2020, Changsha City renovated a total of 14 historic neighborhoods, preserving more than 80 well-preserved cultural relics and historical buildings.

Meanwhile, the city has built a total of 69.5 kilometers of pedestrian streets across various neighborhoods, reviving the ancient city’s distinctive character.

Official data show that Changsha has been ranked among China’s ten happiest cities for 13 consecutive years. Over the past decade, 3 million people have moved to the city, and its population is expected to surpass 10 million in 2021.

(From ChinaDaily)