Changing face of urban renewal

Tang Min and Tong Wangyue

Jiading is experiencing all-around urban-renewal as the district strives to revitalize urban land stock and develop diversified urban functions.

Transformed from old factory buildings built in the 1980s and 90s, the 1.1-square-kilometer Nanxiang Zhidi Industry Park has become a cluster of over 1,800 scientific and cultural innovation enterprises. Revenue tax of the park reached 1.5 billion yuan (US$223 million) within a year after it opened.

Last year, the district government launched a series of policies to promote industrial upgrading and improve the quality and efficiency of economic growth.

Shanghai International Auto City Auto Parts Industrial Zone reported tax revenue of 5 billion yuan and an average output value of 23 million yuan per mu last year. According to the general manager of the park, Li Chengyang, the park will continue to implement the renewal project this year.

“We can free up 450,000 square meters of floor area and 50 mu (3.33 hectares) of land by eliminating low-efficient enterprises so as to provide a considerable space for the development of high-quality enterprises,” said Li.

Besides economic development, livelihood issues such as environment construction and the renovation of old residential areas are also important parts of the district’s urban renewal process.

In recent years, changes have taken place in every corner of Jiading. Several construction waste dumps were transformed into green parks, offering residents places for leisure and relaxation. 

A number of illegal constructions on both sides of the high-speed railway were removed or turned into greenery areas. 

Jiading is also focused on making the district more attractive and people -friendly. 

For example, colorful street lamps were installed along the road connecting Jindi Gelin Community and Nanxiang Metro Station to ensure safety and improve the environment. 

The lamps were so admired that pictures of them went viral on the Internet.