Chongqing-Yuzhong District and Jiulongpo District were selected as the first batch of 21 national urban renewal pilot cities, Chongqing Housing and Urban-Rural Development Committee informed on December 31.

Zhongdaoyi Road Yangtze River Lighthouse, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

Yang Zhihong, deputy director of Chongqing Housing and Urban-Rural Development Commission, introduced that Chongqing was selected as the second batch of 36 sample cities for urban inspection in 2020.

Huangjue Ping, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

In terms of reform and innovation, Chongqing's districts and counties have set up urban renewal leading agencies one after another. Those agencies actively carried out practical exploration based on the actual situations. Among them, Yuzhong District has explored the fire protection approval mode reform. It has successfully solved the difficulties of fire protection approval for urban renewal projects such as Shancheng Lane and Eling Test Bed 2.

At present, Chongqing has invested 11.6 billion yuan(about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars) in 31 municipal pilot demonstration projects. Eight projects were put into use in phases, such as 18 Steps of Yuzhong District, East Street of Nanchuan District. Jingang Monument, a project of Beibei District, is opened for trial operation.

18 Steps, Yuzhong District, Chongqing. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

In order to protect ancient trees and preserve urban memory, Chongqing is adjusting and adding a number of pilot projects quickly. Then, the number of municipal pilot demonstration projects is expected to exceed 100.

Daijiaxiang, the project of Yuzhong District, integrates traditional style, cliff walk, riverside scenery. Jinbi Zhengjie, the project of Shapingba District, insists on the protection and utilization of industrial heritage. Chongqing-1949, the large-scale live-action performance play, is officially performed to promote the spirit of Hongyan.

Chongqing plans to hold an urban renewal forum in March 2022, in conjunction with the Sichuan-Chongqing Housing Expo. At that time, according to Yang, Chongqing will release an urban renewal opportunity list and white book and establish an urban renewal think-tank alliance to promote the interaction of various resource elements further.