Transforming Beijing: A Comprehensive Overview of Urban Renewal Initiatives

Urban renewal has become the main theme of urban development in the new era, with many local governments proposing the implementation of urban renewal actions in their work reports. As the capital city, Beijing has focused on various aspects of urban renewal practice, including the revitalization of public spaces, innovative business models, the promotion of technological innovation in services, the development of cultural functions, and improvements in people's livelihoods. Beijing's experiences serve as a valuable reference for exploring urban renewal in China.

Public Space Renovation

1. Liangmahe International Riverside with a Western Flavor

Location: Southwest of Si Ji Shi Jia, Yansha East Side Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

Guidance: An innovative urban renewal project is transforming the city's landscape, blending water and city life seamlessly. A 6-kilometer river route offers boat rides with stunning views of the Twenty-Four Bridges and Eighteen Scenic Spots. The area features open air theater, modern sports, and captivating light shows. Along the riverbanks, numerous unique businesses display their offerings, enhancing the overall experience.

2. Zhongguancun Avenue (Phase 1)

Location: Haidian, Beijing, running from Baishi New Bridge in the south to the west gate of Tsinghua University in the north, with a total length of 7.2 kilometers and a public space area of approximately 200,000 square meters.

Guidance: The Zhongguancun Avenue upgrade aims to create a versatile 'City Living Room,' combining Innovation, Learning, Community, and Cultural functions. This project serves as a hub for transportation, social interactions, and cultural activities. Phase 1 of the Beijing Zhongguancun Avenue City Project, which involves renovating outdoor public spaces on both sides of the avenue, has recently been completed and is now open to the public. Situated in the municipal green space on the west side of Zhongguancun South Street in Haidian District, it spans approximately 1 kilometer from Weigongcun Subway Station in the south to the Sihui Sirtong Bridge in the north.

Traditional Business District Renovation and Upgrade

1. Wangjing Xiaojie

Location: Northwest of Dashanqiao, between Vanke Times Center and Fangheng Shopping Center, with a total length of 380 meters.

Project managment: Wangjing Subdistrict Office of Chaoyang District People's Government, Beijing Wanjing Enterprise Management Co., Ltd. (Vanke Times Center Wangjing Project) (a subsidiary of Vanke).

Operator: Beijing Wanjing Enterprise Management Co., Ltd., Beijing Cushman & Wakefield Property Management Co., Ltd.

Guidance: This governance model involves government, the market, and society through the Wangjing Xiaojie Party Building Coordination Committee, aided by the Xiaojie Management Committee and Merchant Alliance. Urban property management introduces a 'funds pool' for public benefits, creating a self-sustaining model where district revenues support further development. This transformation turns the traditional district into a dynamic shared space, emphasizing 'internationalization, culture, and technological innovation.

2. Dongcheng District Longfu Cultural District Renovation and Renewal Project (Phase 1)

Location: Located in the Dongsi area of Dongcheng District, with the project scope extending from Qianliang Hutong in the north to Dongsi West Street in the south, Meishuguan East Street in the west, and Dongsi North Street in the east.

Project managment: Beijing Xin Longfu Cultural Investment Co., Ltd.

Operator: Beijing Xin Longfu Cultural Investment Co., Ltd.

Guidance: A collaboration between government and enterprise using a regional renewal model. The core of the project is the dissemination of culture, art, and lifestyle. By infusing art into content and scenes, it creates an entirely new cultural and creative art experiential space, showcasing the most beautiful 'culture + district' combination.

3. Chaowai Avenue Renewal (Phase 1)

Location: Chaowai Avenue Development

Project managment: Kuntai Group + Yingzhan Group + Beijing Municipal Government/Chaoyang District Government.

Guidance: The Chaowai Avenue district has pioneered Beijing's inaugural public space pilot project for area-based revitalization. Focusing on Chaowai Avenue and Chaowai South Street, this initiative marks a shift from singular projects to comprehensive area-wide rejuvenation. It aims to establish the 'Beijing Characteristic UIC - Urban Vitality Innovation Center,' which will serve as the city's inaugural Urban Vitality Innovation Center (UIC). Notably, the first commercial space, known as THE BOX Chaowai, was unveiled in May 2023 as part of this endeavor.

4. Xidan Cultural Plaza Upgrade and Renovation Project (Xidan Renewal Plaza) (The picture below is from the internet)

?Location: Located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Chang'an Street and Xidan North Street, occupying a core position in the Xidan shopping district.

Project managment: China Resources Land (Beijing) Co., Ltd. Operating Entity: China Resources Wanjiale Life Business North China Region.

Guidance: This project encompasses a park-like leisure area, a circular sunken plaza, and subterranean commercial facilities. It adopts a holistic strategy encompassing 'physical aspects, funding, spatial design, and operations.' The central principles driving this initiative are 'simplification,' 'enhancement of quality,' and 'augmentation of green spaces,' resulting in a thorough overhaul and enhancement. This transformation aims to establish a fresh iconic hub dedicated to youth, culture, and fashion.

Renovation and Transformation of Old and Dilapidated Factories

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1. Shijingshan District Shougang Old Industrial Area (North Area) Renewal Project

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Location: 68 Shijingshan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing.

Project managment: Shougang Group Co., Ltd., Beijing Shougang Construction Investment Co., Ltd.

Operator: Beijing Shougang Park Comprehensive Service Co., Ltd., Beijing Shougang Park Sports Center Operation and Management Co., Ltd.

Guidance: The government has implemented policies to incentivize the revitalization of aging industrial zones, and the state-owned enterprise Shougang Group has formed a wholly-owned subsidiary responsible for managing the development, construction, and operation of this renewal project. The rejuvenation of the old industrial area encompasses the establishment of key sites such as the Shijingshan Landscape Park, Winter Olympics Square, and Shougang Park Ruins Park, among others.

2. Langyuan STATION

Location: 53 Banjietalu Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Guidance: Originally a vast 203-acre textile warehouse in Beijing with its railway line, it now stands as an international cultural exchange hub. The Langyuan Station, a part of Bahe International Cultural Consumption Town, is central to the 'Embassy District Cultural Shopping District' and Chaoyang District's nighttime economy. Embracing an ecological, open, and communal approach, it transforms into a 24/7 urban complex, serving as a multifunctional space for international exchange, cultural experiences, creative offices, public interactions, urban services, and leisure activities.

3. Langyuan Vintage

Location: 6 Langjiayuan, Tonghuihe North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

Guidance: This unique project represents the sole large-scale, low-density factory renovation initiative within the central CBD region, boasting a total construction area of 30,000 square meters. It presents an array of stylish, high-end dining establishments and houses the CBD's exclusive creative office environment.

Each floor includes communal spaces tailored to cater to the workspace requirements of small and medium-sized creative businesses. Furthermore, there are spacious, low-density office units ranging from 400 to 1,000 square meters, catering to a diverse range of customer needs.

Historical and Cultural Street Area Renovation

?1. Fayuan Temple Historical and Cultural Street Area Renovation

Location: The block extends from Fayuan Temple Back Street in the north to Caishikou Avenue in the east, South Hengxi Street in the south, and Jiaozi Hutong in the west. It measures 374 meters in length from north to south, 585 meters in width from east to west, covering an area of 21.50 hectares.

Project managment: Beijing Xuanfang Dade Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd.

Guidance: The Fayuan Temple Historical and Cultural Street Area is among the second group of historical and cultural preservation zones in Beijing. It safeguards the traditional street and alley layout, notably featuring 'vertical alleys.' This project adopts a small-scale, organic renewal strategy and a symbiotic renewal method. It addresses neighborhood functional limitations, enhancing space utilization efficiency while harnessing existing resources to introduce new formats, scenes, and functions within the community.

Renovation of Old Residential Communities - Jingsong Model

Location: 2 Dingfuzhuang West Lane, Jingsong Residential Community, Chaoyang District, Beijing. The initial pilot phases include Zone 1 and Zone 2.

Project managment: Chaoyang District People's Government Jingsong Subdistrict Office, Vision Mindray (Beijing) Holdings Group Co., Ltd.

Operator: Vision Mindray (Beijing) Holdings Group Co., Ltd.

Guidance: This project pioneers the 'Five-Party Coordination' mechanism, engaging 'District-level Planning, Subdistrict Leadership, Community Coordination, Resident Participation, and Enterprise Operation.' It integrates community capital and introduces a 'try before buying' property services approach, establishing a 'micro-profit sustainable' market-oriented model for revitalizing aging residential neighborhoods.

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