Shanghai's Pudong Airport has officially opened a new living quarters for workers involved in the fourth-phase expansion of the airfield area.

This facility, named the "Builder's Town" for the airfield project, was inaugurated yesterday. It was jointly planned and constructed by Shanghai Airport Authority and eight engineering contractors, covering an area of nearly 120,000 square meters. The first group of over 1,000 airport construction workers has already moved in.

This marks the "2.0 version" of the town, following the launch of the terminal area's Builder's Town in July 2023. The airfield project, a key part of the fourth-phase expansion, handles critical tasks like building the runway system, taxiway system, and apron. It is now entering a crucial phase of full-scale construction.

Adhering to the standards of a "New Era Builder's Home" 鈥?which emphasizes high-quality living, comprehensive services, efficient governance, and a strong sense of belonging 鈥?Shanghai Airport Authority planned the airfield Builder's Town last year along Hebin West Road. The town has two main areas: a public amenities zone and a residential zone, designed to house up to 4,000 workers at a time.

In terms of quality, the project abandons the traditional, simplistic model of construction-site dormitories. The residential area consists mainly of four-person rooms, each equipped with air conditioning and storage lockers. There are also thoughtfully designed rooms for couples. Workers can move in with just their luggage. The public areas are clean and tidy, with beautiful greenery, and facilities for waste sorting, fire safety, and emergency exits are all in place and up to standard.

For support services, the town features a centralized "one-stop living services area" that integrates dining, shopping, sports, leisure, and convenience services. The public canteen offers special dishes based on the dietary preferences of workers from different regions. A budget-friendly supermarket offers carefully selected goods at controlled prices, carrying everything from work safety gear to daily necessities. Some items are supplied at cost to help lower living expenses. After work, workers can use the multi-purpose activity center to play badminton, table tennis, or chess. Services like barber shops and minor repairs are available on demand, and the prices of food, drinks, and daily items at the supermarket are more affordable than in the market outside.

Shanghai Airport Authority, together with the city's Major Projects Office, the Pudong New Area government, the police, and the urban management bureau, has established a cross-unit, cross-sector, and cross-level town co-governance committee. This creates a temporary community governance body with clear responsibilities and efficient coordination. The town's public areas are managed by a professional, unified property management company, which sets clear standards for security, fire safety, vehicle management, and daily services. The town has also partnered with the airport's public security sub-bureau to set up a "Zhengyi Space" police station, focusing on public order and dispute mediation, such as labor disputes, to resolve conflicts early and ensure community safety.

This centralized living area for builders, a key part of the Pudong Airport fourth-phase expansion, is a unique, large-scale community distinct from ordinary residential areas. It is also a special unit of the city's grassroots governance system. To date, it has served over 8,000 construction workers. In 2025, this practice was selected as one of Shanghai's first batch of "New Era City Builder and Manager Homes" (temporary centralized living points), making it a replicable model for the refined governance of large-scale temporary living quarters for major projects.