On June 4th, it was announced that the Beicangli project in Chongqing has been selected as one of the 30 outstanding global practice cases in the inaugural World Urban Renewal Best Practices (IOPUR) awards. The awards were launched by UN-Habitat and Shanghai University, with the results formally released at the recently concluded 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Azerbaijan.
The Chongqing Beicangli project distinguished itself from a large number of global entries to secure this recognition. Its success is based on innovative practices in revitalising industrial heritage, fostering community co-creation and co-governance, and integrating cultural, commercial, and tourism development.
Setting a Benchmark on the Global Stage
The 13th World Urban Forum, co-hosted by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan, is one of the highest-level industry conferences in the field of global urban sustainable development. The forum's theme was "Peaceful World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities." The IOPUR awards aim to identify and commend urban renewal projects worldwide that demonstrate innovation, exemplary value, and social significance.
Beicangli's inclusion signifies that Chongqing's explorations and practices in the field of urban renewal have gained recognition from international professional bodies. It also provides a replicable and referential Chinese practice model for the regeneration of old urban areas globally.
Transforming Beicangli: From Industrial Relic to Urban Landmark
The urban renewal transformation of Beicangli stands as a typical example of the organic revitalisation of Chongqing's older districts. The project site was originally a textile warehouse built in the 1960s and the old Taping residential area. Although situated in a prime location adjacent to a core commercial district, the area's value had long remained underutilised, making it a classic example of an old urban district in need of quality enhancement and renewal.
Throughout the renovation and operation process, the project team adhered to the philosophy of "putting people's livelihoods first, revitalising industry, and ensuring sustainable development." They innovatively implemented a "three-governance, two-upgrade, one-introduction" transformation strategy. This involves improving the environment, addressing disorder, eliminating hidden dangers, enhancing functionality, upgrading quality, and introducing distinctive industries, thereby exploring an urban organic renewal path suited to Chongqing's unique characteristics.
The project focuses on preserving urban memory and reconstructing living spaces. It retains the original industrial fabric of the old factory buildings and the area's inherent cultural character, safeguarding the city's industrial development heritage. Simultaneously, it advances improvements for residents' benefit, such as burying utility lines underground, creating pocket parks, and adding便民 facilities. These measures address the shortcomings in old residential areas' amenities, establishing a convenient and well-rounded 15-minute high-quality living circle.
Breaking down spatial barriers to achieve symbiotic business formats is another key aspect. Leveraging its proximity to the Guanyinqiao commercial district, the area has focused on introducing diverse formats including cultural and creative industries, markets, leisure, and餐饮. This promotes deep integration of culture, commerce, and tourism, bridges the development gap between the old community and the core商业 district, and facilitates the transformation of the old district into a vibrant, quality商业街区.
The successful revitalisation of Beicangli vividly embodies a governance model of "government setting the stage, the market performing, social participation, and resident co-creation." Through precise government guidance, in-depth grassroots governance by local街道 offices, meticulous development by the operation team, and the active involvement of original residents,入驻 merchants, and visiting citizens, a new pattern of multi-party collaborative urban renewal has been formed.
Chongqing's Continuous Urban Renewal Efforts
Winning this international authoritative award is a microcosm of Chongqing's deep commitment to urban renewal and its efforts to enhance urban quality. Through its ongoing and deepening urban renewal actions, Chongqing has been selected as one of the first demonstration cities for central government financial support for urban renewal. The city has accumulated six projects that have won the China Human Settlements and Environment Award, six projects recognised as national典型案例 of urban renewal, and has seen 24 innovative experiences, such as "contiguous renewal," promoted and implemented nationwide.
Based on this year's urban development goals, Chongqing has explicitly set the task of revitalising over 9 million square meters of闲置 space. The city plans to comprehensively identify shortcomings in urban construction, survey闲置 resources, establish problem ledgers and resource maps, and precisely plan district renewals and implement key projects. It will also fully implement the "three前置" principles of design, operation, and investment and financing, and optimise the "three categories" of policies related to planning, land, and finance, fully activating the enthusiasm of social capital to participate in urban renewal.
Moving forward, Chongqing's urban renewal work will focus on upgrading three major scenarios: high-quality living, cultural tourism and consumption, and innovation and entrepreneurship. For the full year, the city plans to create 15 leading urban innovation活力 centers, 50 modern communities, and 100 "mountain city back alleys." Through meticulous urban renewal, Chongqing aims to continuously activate the city's endogenous driving force, ensuring its urban development maintains lasting vitality.