|

A high-speed train passes by a modern car culture park created from renovated space beneath an overpass in Shaoxing. [Photo/WeChat account: sxfabu]

Shaoxing is advancing the development of a modern people-centered city by embedding innovation, livability, environmental quality, and smart governance into urban planning, construction, and management.

This year, the city has focused on optimizing urban functions, improving public facilities, and streamlining governance to drive systematic renewal of urban space. By redeveloping former industrial sites, spaces beneath bridges, and underused urban corners, Shaoxing has created new public areas that integrate consumption, leisure, and cultural activities, expanding the value of existing land resources.

To address gaps in urban infrastructure, the city has coordinated major projects including upgrades to arterial roads, renovation of sewage networks, and construction of parking facilities. So far, 519 urban function improvement projects have been planned or implemented, with total investment reaching 13.76 billion yuan ($1.95 billion).

At the same time, Shaoxing has accelerated organic urban renewal, renovating 79 older residential communities that benefit more than 30,000 households and advancing work on 251 infrastructure projects with completed investment of 17.3 billion yuan.

Alongside hardware upgrades, Shaoxing is strengthening its civic culture through civic education initiatives. Cultural envoy programs, community-based activities, and public arts events are integrating civic values into everyday life. The city has established 35 neighborhood reading hubs and 205 quality life cultural circle within 15 minutes of walk, with cultural envoys operating across 103 towns and subdistricts.

Shaoxing has also emphasized the leadership of role models through regular recognition of exemplary citizens, offering public service benefits to moral role models and community volunteers. The city is home to about 1.5 million registered volunteers and more than 20,000 volunteer teams active in major events, grassroots governance, and public services.

By coordinating urban renewal with civic cultivation, Shaoxing is pursuing higher-quality, integrated development that supports a shared and sustainable future for its residents.