Authorities in Shanghai, a global metropolis known for its skyscrapers and busy commercial districts, have stepped up the renovation of old lanes in recent years in a bid to improve living conditions for residents in aging communities and solve long-standing issues like the "night soil bucket" problem.​

On World Cities Day, October 31, Shanghai has chosen to showcase its lane renewal achievements, vividly reflecting the 2025 World Cities Day theme, "Transformative Development for Building People-Centered Smart Cities," and offering a replicable "Chinese model" for old urban area renovations globally.​

Launched by China at the UN in 2014, World Cities Day is the first international day focused on urban development. It aims to address urbanization challenges, boost international cooperation and promote sustainable city growth by encouraging cities worldwide to share governance experiences.

This year, the primary global event will be in Bogotá, Colombia, and China's main event will be in Chongqing. Shanghai, where World Cities Day originated, will host international events like the Global Conference on Urban Sustainable Development. 

Why was Shanghai plagued by the 'night soil bucket' problem?

The "night soil bucket" problem arose in Shanghai because many old lane homes lacked indoor sanitary facilities, forcing residents to carry waste buckets to public toilets. By the end of September 2025, renovations to fix the issue had been basically completed, a big step forward for people's well-being.​​

To understand the roots of the problem, we need to look at Shanghai's history. Most old lanes were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when urban planning and infrastructure were underdeveloped.​

Back then, little thought was given to long-term needs like indoor water supply and drainage – the focus was on housing a growing population.​

Over time, as more people moved into the lanes, limited land, complex property rights and high renovation costs made large-scale infrastructure upgrades hard.​

For decades, while modernity shone through Shanghai's central business districts and new areas, many old lane residents still struggled with carrying "night soil buckets" daily.​

This contrast between the city's prosperity and poor living conditions in some communities became a stark problem, which authorities started tackling in the 1990s, guided by the belief that "we can't move towards modernization with night soil buckets."​

Safeguarding style with 'micro-renovation'

In its approach to lane renewal, Shanghai has always avoided large-scale demolition. It prioritizes "micro-renovation" in order to protect historical styles – making small, precise improvements instead of full reconstruction.​

Behind this is Shanghai's innovative model: "one policy for one district, one plan for one project, one file for one household." This creates different solutions for different situations.​

Professional teams check lane buildings thoroughly for structural problems. For historically valuable, well-structured buildings, key features like red brick walls, sloped roofs and wooden windows are kept. Only internal reinforcement and maintenance are conducted.​

Modern materials are also used to improve thermal and sound insulation, and infrastructure upgrades are designed to be "invisible." When laying water, drainage or gas pipes, existing underground space is used first to avoid large road excavations.​

New public facilities like street lamps and garbage bins are designed to match historical styles, blending in seamlessly with the environment.​

Chuansha New Town in Pudong New Area is a good example. "Integrated sanitary facilities" – combining toilets, washbasins and showers – were installed there, solving sanitation issues in old areas with poor sewage networks.​

What's more, residents play a full role in the process. Before renovation, opinions are collected at public events to form targeted plans, such as installing facilities in individual households or conducting protective restoration.​ 

During construction, residents are invited to supervise quality to ensure results meet expectations. This people-centered model makes renovations more practical and boosts residents' sense of belonging.​

Shanghai's successful lane renewal shows that urbanization doesn't have to sacrifice the past. Modern amenities can be balanced with traditional style and livelihood improvement.​

In 2022, the renovation of large-scale Grade-II old lanes in Shanghai was completed, and the "night soil bucket" problem was solved. In 2023, 14,082 households with various additional needs were identified and a two-year campaign to address them began. By September 2025, the task was completed.​

This decades-long livelihood project offers a reference for other Chinese cities seeking to renovate old residential areas. It also shows the value of the "Chinese model" to the world – aligning with World Cities Day's spirit, especially the 2025 theme of "People-Centered Smart Cities."

(Cover via VCG)