China Highlights People-Centred Vision in Its Urban Renewal Strategy

China has continued to advance wide-ranging urban renewal projects in recent years, underscoring what officials describe as a “people-centred” vision for national development. The programme focuses on improving living standards rather than simply expanding city infrastructure, according to Xinhua.

During a recent discussion on the country’s economic outlook, specialists noted that large-scale efforts are under way to build more affordable housing and revitalise older urban areas. These include upgrading shantytowns, renovating ageing residential communities, modernising urban villages, and replacing unsafe or deteriorating structures.

Examples from major cities show how residents are benefiting from these improvements. In places such as Shanghai, neighbourhoods with pre-1949 buildings have undergone comprehensive restoration, giving homeowners safer, more comfortable, and better-serviced living environments.

Authorities say the momentum behind these projects will continue in the next national development phase, covering the years 2026 to 2030. The plan aims to raise the overall quality of urban life and ensure that renewal efforts deliver practical, visible benefits to households across the country.