China's urban renewal projects are breathing new life into its abandoned factory areas, as the authorities move away from large-scale demolition toward incremental change, which emphasizes the preservation of industrial heritage and small-scale adjustments.
In Jinan, capital city of east China's Shandong Province, the 579 Baigongji area -- once the city's largest used goods and building materials market -- has been transformed into a popular cultural and tourism hub.
This pilot project exemplifies Jinan's efforts to reuse existing structures of urban renewal objects through minor renovations.
"Our minor renovations aren't just about bricks. It's about making small changes to bring about self-changes and achieving more by doing less. Of the 100,000-square-meter complex, only 27,000 square meters underwent renovation. The remaining 73,000 square meters were just simply decorated, basically retaining their original appearances, yet the outcomes are amazing," said Wang Qun, head of the 579 Baigongji.
The complex is now home to more than 50 companies. Its success has inspired replications elsewhere.
"Since last year, we have launched over 100 urban renewal projects using the approach of small-scale, incremental, and minor changes to simultaneously improve supporting facilities, preserve historical and cultural heritage, and elevate people's living standards," said Zhao Xin, director of urban renewal of the Jinan Municipal Housing and Urban-Rural Construction Bureau.
A parallel case is the Donghu Yiku Park in the old city of Nanchang, capital city of east China's Jiangxi Province.
The former largest foreign trade storage base of Jiangxi has retained 90 percent of its old structures during renewal and restored its historical Suzhou-style buildings.
"It has greatly increased our foot traffic. We estimate about 300 visitors come here daily on Friday, Saturday and Sunday -- often beyond our capacity to handle," said Yang Wen, a shop owner at the park.
The renewal and transformation of old blocks, old factory areas, and urban villages are not only reshaping the looks of Chinese cities, but also unleashing domestic demand for the cities' high-quality development, according to experts.
"The renewal of old blocks and old factory areas is a key means to make spatial and quality improvements and to add vitality and new economic growth momentum to cities. By shifting functions, upgrading business forms, and creating consumption scenarios, cities can forge new consumption spaces that are more appealing, and attract emerging industries such as cultural creation and sci-tech innovation, ultimately cultivating new economic growth drivers," said Wang Kai, president of China Academy of Urban Planning Design.
Urban renewal brings new vitality to old factory complexes in eastern Chinese cities
