In the heart of Shanghai, rapid progress is being made in the revitalization of “two old districts and one village,” transforming once neglected areas into vibrant urban neighborhoods.
Among the success stories is the 341 Lane of Kangjian Road in the Xuhui District, where a historic building known as the “Red Brick Building” has undergone a remarkable transformation. Built over 70 years ago, this three-story structure faced numerous challenges before its recent renovation into an 11-story modern residential complex. For residents like Zheng Lianxian, who has lived there for decades, the change is monumental. She reflects on the time when “rain would force us to cook under an umbrella”—a stark reminder of the struggles of living without modern amenities.
In another innovative project located in Qingpu’s Xujing area, the Panlong “city village” has effectively merged the preservation of historical and cultural sites with the development of an international business hub. This unique approach has integrated modern commercial and lifestyle elements into a picturesque Jiangnan cultural setting, creating a “micro-vacation” environment conducive to living, leisure, and tourism right in the heart of the bustling CBD.
During a recent press event organized by the Shanghai Municipal Government, journalists learned about the government’s dedicated efforts to focus on these transformative initiatives. Under multiple constraints, the city is pioneering effective, sustainable urban renewal methods that prioritize high satisfaction among residents, holistic benefits, and fiscal responsibility, all while accelerating the pace and quality of urban upgrades.
One case that exemplifies this acceleration is Kangjian Road’s historic building. Once a symbol of cramped living conditions and shared facilities, it faced delays due to complicated ownership issues. However, with support from city authorities and Shanghai University of Applied Technology, the property was successfully transferred to a state-owned enterprise, paving the way for a swift demolition and reconstruction process that began in April 2023. This marked Shanghai’s first case of “property transfer” urban renewal, effectively fast-tracking subsequent developments.
After clearing this bottleneck, the district implemented an innovative “commitment plan for external relocation,” synchronizing resident relocations with building design plans. The local street committee rallied a dedicated team, and with the support of leading resident representatives, they achieved 100% agreement on new housing proposals in just six days.
Jin Lin, Secretary of the Party Committee of Guikang Community, emphasized, “We must honor the residents’ trust by delivering optimal design solutions.” With the goal of allowing sunlight to stream into their homes, the revitalization plan prioritized placing living spaces on the sunniest south side while ensuring functional areas received adequate ventilation and light.
By April 30, 2024, 27 families eagerly received their keys to new homes, marking a stunning one-year turnaround in housing renovation.
Meanwhile, the transformation of Panlong Village into a cultural landmark reflects Shanghai’s commitment to combining urban renewal with heritage preservation. This training ground of history and modernity has garnered impressive foot traffic—400 million visitors in the first month alone, with peak holiday numbers reaching 200,000, indicating strong market appeal.
Old resident Chen Gang reminisced about his childhood, recalling how vibrant Panlong Town used to be. Today, he finds satisfaction in experiencing the blend of ancient Jiangnan culture alongside contemporary commercial conveniences.
The Panlong project stands out for its dedication to intertwining “city village” renovation with aesthetic preservation and cultural continuity. Xie Ming, General Manager of Shanghai Xihongqiao Business Development Co., shared that a three-year preparatory phase was essential to research and plan the site’s historical significance alongside its urban functionality, ensuring that the town’s heritage remains alive.
Beyond enhancing the city’s aesthetic and operational appeal, Chen noted the economic revitalization resulting from this integration, leading to new investment opportunities. The Panlong Tian Di Hotel project alone is projected to significantly boost the village’s collective economy, generating millions in rental income and paving the way for future growth.
