Shanghai's renovation project wins foreign accolades

A renovation project to revitalize Shanghai's first worker's community won two global awards last month.

The neighborhood revitalization plan from 2019 to 2021 for the Caoyang Community in Putuo District aims to preserve and enhance the cultural heritage of the area which was home to China's early model workers, while renewing the old facilities.

Inspired by the "Freedom Trail" cultural tour in the US city of Boston, Massachusetts, planners with the Shanghai Urban Construction Design and Research Institute designed a walking route for residents and tourists to review the former glory of the city's listed historical neighborhood.

The project has won the Jane Jacobs Award for Community and Regional Planning as well as the Special Award for Excellence in Advancing Social Equity from the American Planning Association's International Division.

The community, covering some 2 square kilometers, sprung up in 1951 as a home to model workers, forerunner to other workers' communities that were built nationwide to accommodate the growing workforce during a period of rapid industrialization.

As the first "new community" in Shanghai that opened up to the outside world, it has received more than 300,000 people from over 150 countries and regions. High-ranking visitors include former US President Richard Nixon and other national leaders.

However, as the population ages, the high-rise buildings which were once a source of great pride have become a source of distress.

"Without revitalization, the profound history of the historical community might be forgotten along with its aging population and facilities," said Bu Min, a planner with the institute who is taking part in the project.

According to the plan named "Caoyang Stroll," more greenery will be planted across the community and it will be more accessible to residents.

Pocket parks have been planned around street corners for seniors to relax and chat. Several streets, which now have bikes whizzing past, have been designed into pedestrian roads.

Several landmarks will be redecorated and highlighted along a walking path for visitors and tenants to learn the history of the community. They include a history museum of the community and the Fengqiao Road Station of Metro Line 11, a major gateway to the community.

A cultural wall will decorate the subway station to showcase the community's history and its famous model workers. Overhead cables will be buried to avoid spoiling the community's historical ambiance.

Most of the requests from residents, whose opinions were solicited, have been incorporated in the design charts. In the next step, the institute will work with the district and subdistrict governments to further improve and carry out the renovation.

"The project is an outstanding example of a comprehensive and sensitive analysis of a neighborhood, followed by creative and innovative solutions to the problems identified," said George Frantz, associate professor with Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art and Planning.