China's megacities master the art of urban renewal

Editor's note: Xin Ge, a special commentator for CGTN, is a research fellow at the Institute of Public Policy and Governance, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE), and a chair associate professor at the School of Public Administration and Policy, SUFE. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

China's approach to urban governance is undergoing a profound transformation, moving from the "build fast, build big" ethos to a more refined, delicate craft. The new approach, often called "needlework-style" renewal, puts people and existing neighborhoods at the center. Instead of clearing blocks and starting over, cities are optimizing what they already have: improving services, repairing buildings and stitching together streets and public spaces so daily life works better.

At heart, this is a strategic reset. Governance is moving from land-led expansion to people-first improvement; from engineering spectacles to community-oriented solutions; and from one-off construction to full life-cycle operation and maintenance. Beijing and Shanghai, China's two largest cities, illustrate how this plays out on the ground – each in its own way, but both aiming to preserve urban memory while upgrading everyday life.

This overall trend boils down to three big shifts. The first is moving from wholesale demolition to small, targeted fixes. Instead of clearing whole blocks, cities now focus on "micro-renewal" – step-by-step improvements that add up, refreshing building facades, separating rainwater from sewage to reduce flooding and odors, adding elevators and ramps for seniors and people with disabilities, and closing gaps in walking and cycling routes. These small changes make daily life safer, cleaner, and easier without erasing neighborhood character.

Second, from top-down projects to demand-driven problem solving. The focus has moved from government-designed project lists to "problem lists" generated by residents and closed-loop management to resolve them. That means linking diagnosis, design, construction, and crucially, post-completion operation so improvements last.

Third, from administrative push to rule- and standard-based practice. Urban renewal ordinances, design guidelines, color and materials catalogs, and performance metrics help reduce uncertainty and block "facade-only" makeovers. Rules set consistent expectations; standards keep quality high.

Beijing's hallmark is fine-grained work in back streets and courtyards (hutongs). Clean-ups target disorder and safety risks, from messy overhead wiring to blocked sidewalks. The city restores pedestrian priority and folds in small, useful amenities – pocket parks, tiny sports courts, benches, lighting and convenience kiosks. These "small cuts" add up to calmer street life and easier daily routines.

Hutong micro-renewal puts character first. Without changing the scale of courtyards, the rhythm of lanes, or traditional color palettes, projects install modern essentials: separate drainage, gas lines, fire-safety systems, and upgraded kitchens and bathrooms. The aim is straightforward – old houses that are safe, efficient, and comfortable to live in.

Beijing also excels at turning "small public concerns" into "major governance issues." Through mechanisms like "Instant response to citizen complaints" (Jie Su Ji Ban), resident requests become actionable work orders with clear deadlines and follow-up checks. Dim streetlights, steps that trip seniors, trash noise near bedrooms – issues dismissed as minor are handled quickly and visibly. The process tightens the loop between what people want fixed and what gets done, making renewal more precise and dependable.

Echoing Beijing, Shanghai's signature is the protection and revitalization of its lilongs – dense lane-house neighborhoods that carry the city's social memory. Guided by an urban renewal ordinance, Shanghai prioritizes "repair, retain, reuse." Two tracks are common. In wider old-lilong areas, the city fixes structural hazards and basic living conditions first. In historic districts, it pursues micro-renewal: careful facade repairs, roof and drainage upgrades, better fire safety, public-space infill and friendlier ground-floor interfaces.

Crucially, Shanghai manages commercial encroachment so daily life isn't squeezed out by destination retail. The aim is a balanced street: small businesses that residents actually use, alongside cultural and community functions. Places like Yuyuan Road and the Sinan area show what this looks like. Renewal is not just repainting walls; it's making streets walkable and sociable again with safer crossings, pocket gardens at corners, small seating areas and micro-landscapes at key nodes. The feel of the street shifts: it becomes easy to stroll, sit and linger.

The critical challenge in old neighborhood renewal is balancing improved livelihoods with protecting historical character, and the key lies in the parallel advancement of "functional upgrading" and "heritage guardianship."

On the livelihood side, priority goes to closing safety and service gaps: utilities that work, barrier-free access, child- and elder-friendly services, and reliable lighting and sanitation. On the heritage side, cities protect street grain, courtyard relationships and facade proportions, translating "memory" into tangible, everyday quality. Many projects use a stepwise process: pilot sections, public display, feedback and small adjustments to clarify what will change and build trust.

The government can set the framework; residents decide whether renewal succeeds. In Beijing, rapid-response systems have turned people from passive recipients into co-designers. Neighborhood councils and courtyard agreements spell out how shared spaces are used and cared for – from culture walls in stairwells to plants and greenery. In Shanghai, community gardens, self-governance stations, and "block leader + social worker + designer" teams turn the space right outside front doors into shared public amenities.

Real participation isn't a one-time survey. It runs through the full cycle – from early diagnosis and option selection to construction oversight and long-term upkeep. Real co-governance does not mean "everyone decides everything"; it means shared responsibility – those who use a space help manage and maintain it.

From hutongs to lilongs, the renewal of old neighborhoods is not merely "polishing the city till it shines," but about making life "shine in the details." When a people-centered philosophy is backed by enforceable rules, practical standards, and responsive problem-solving, urban memory and modern living stop competing. Beijing and Shanghai show that high-quality renewal isn't about how many new landmarks are built; it's about how many old neighborhoods remain lived-in, useful and loved. That is the clearest sign that China's "city of the people" is truly being built for, and with, its people.