Beijing has undertaken urban renewal projects in its iconic historical areas, preserving the city's heritage while enhancing local residents' well-being through the infusion of new energy.
The projects focus on road optimization, landscape enhancement, building renovations, municipal upgrades, and revitalizing city parks, creating a more pleasing and vibrant public space for citizens.
Renewing streets in a mega city like Beijing is a tough slog, especially when they carry the inheritance of thousands of years of history. In Beijing, some remarkable urban renewal projects are underway, including one in Xisi, a neighborhood in Xicheng District with roots dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).
Integrated with both urban transformation and residents' everyday lives, these projects aim to enhance living conditions without erasing the city's historical context.
Liu Weiyan, head of the Beijing city renewal project office, said that the guiding principles of the projects are small-scale, incremental, and sustainable.
"For renewal projects in historical urban areas, we follow the principles of micro-renovation, micro-upgrading, and subtraction, aiming to preserve the architecture of different eras and their different architectural languages," said Liu.
The public projects also improve the quality of life for people living in these neighborhoods.
"(Before the renovation) our community had very few garden areas. Now, this new public leisure space offers a relaxing environment for everyone in the community with limited living space, especially for those of us living right next to the street. Everyone can now enjoy the area," said Kang Yingmei, secretary of Xisi Beisantiao Community.
Meanwhile, the old street renewal projects have been carried out with minimal disruption to the normal operation of local small businesses.
At a local food market, daily operations once were somewhat affected by scaffolding for renewal projects outside, but customers could still enter as usual.
"In order to cooperate with the renovation work, we overcame the difficulties. Luckily, our business ran as normal, even though the entrance to the market got partly obstructed at that time," said Zou Deqi, manager of Jinyi grocery store at the market.
At the area where Xicheng community college affiliated kindergarten located, this project improves pedestrian flow, vehicle parking, public spaces, and places special emphasis on children's needs.
"The design drawing for the renovation alone went through seven or eight rounds of discussions, with continuous adjustments. This included input from our district chief, particularly regarding the design of the kindergarten entrance, signboard, and flooring. We could really feel the emphasis on creating a child-friendly environment and the importance of education. This renovation truly felt warm," said Wang Jingli, director of Xicheng community college affiliated kindergarten.
Currently, more renewal projects are underway in Beijing, with the seamless integration of the past and the present. These renovation projects have revitalized old urban areas, transforming them into relaxing, vibrant and all-age-friendly public spaces.
Beijing's urban renewal projects highlight historic preservation
Beijing's urban renewal projects highlight historic preservation
