Panlong Tiandi in Qingpu District is a peaceful respite from the urban grind, where Jiangnan’s watertown blends with modern life.
But not too long ago it was a “dirty and chaotic” urban village.
Panlong’s history as a significant representative of Jiangnan (lower part of the southern Yangtze River) culture in Shanghai dates back to the Sui Dynasty, more than 1,400 years ago. By the early half of the 20th century, Jiangnan’s Panlong Ancient Town had grown into a booming economic hub.
However, during the 1990s, particularly with the advent of industrialization, a major influx of out-of-town residents resulted in a mix of small enterprises, workshops, and warehouses within the ancient town.
Ti Gong
Typical Jiangnan residences at Panlong Tiandi.
Many ancient buildings and the texture of the ancient town were damaged, and illegal structures became common in Panlong, which had turned into a “dirty and chaotic” urban village. Its image was incompatible with the Hongqiao International Central Business District’s high-quality development requirements.
A redevelopment program was then undertaken, ushering in a new era of Panlong’s development and spectacular change.
“We hope this ancient town with a thousand-year history can be rejuvenated, preserving and passing down the Jiangnan culture represented by Panlong and endowing the West Hongqiao area with a unique charm and cultural connotation,” said Zhang Jianhua, the Party Secretary of Xujing Town’s Urban Construction Management Affairs Center.
Ti Gong
During the ecological restoration of 30,000 square meters of river courses, the Cheng Family Ancestral Hall, Fenglai Bridge, Xianghua Bridge, Catholic Church, Panlong Temple, and other Qingpu cultural relics protection sites were restored. The “10 Panlong Scenic Spots” were restored to create a “Jiangnan Living Room” in western Shanghai.
Panlong Tiandi has preserved the town’s water system, bridge culture, and unique cross-street design.
With over 500,000sqm of floor space, the project includes 230,000 square meters of public green spaces, outdoor sports venues, retail, dining, and shopping, and the 250,000-square-meter Panlong international community.
Ti Gong
A typical day at Panlong Tiandi watertown.
Today, Panlong Tiandi is West Hongqiao’s cultural icon. Since the project’s launch last year, it attracted 4 million visitors in its first month. During the holidays, the peak number of visitors reaches almost 200,000 per day.
“I was born in Panlong Town and grew up here, and from a young age, the elderly often told me about how bustling and legendary Panlong Ancient Town was, and these impressions of tales and stories had lingered in my mind,” said Chen Gang, who still lives in Panlong.
“Unlike what I had heard, it was dirty. Now, thanks to the renovation efforts, everything seems to be just as they told me.”
Xing Qianli
The old building on Kangjian Road takes a brand new look after renovation.
The initiative represents Shanghai’s efforts to revitalize urban communities.
By the end of 2023, 72 urban village redevelopment projects had been approved, benefiting 40,000 families.
“Urban village renovations have promoted the improvement of regional functions, and through these renovations, the environmental issues of urban villages, such as dirtiness and disorder, illegal construction, group renting, and public safety hazards, have been resolved,” said Zhou Jianliang, a Shanghai Housing Administration official.
Infrastructure and public service facilities have been improved, and urban development imbalances have been addressed, he noted.
On this premise, the city has developed a three-year action plan for urban village rehabilitation, which will initiate around 66 comprehensive repair projects and complete their rectification and upgrading by the end of 2026.
Xing Qianli
A resident sits at her new apartment in Xuhui District.
The city has also increased efforts to renovate historic residences, launching a three-year action plan aimed at renovating 900,000 square meters of old dwellings between 2023 and 2025.
In 1954, a three-story brick and wood residential structure with an area of 862 square meters was built in Kangjian Subdistrict in Xuhui District to house 27 residents.
After decades of wind and rain, the old house had deteriorated, with various fissures in the walls, ceiling collapses, and fire hazards, posing safety risks. Small repairs could not solve the problem, and homeowners have been requesting a thorough reconstruction for many years.
A demolition and reconstruction project was started in April of last year. After a year, a brand new structure with separate kitchens and bathrooms was built.
It also includes photovoltaic panels, rainwater recycling, intelligent building management systems, and other ecologically friendly, energy-saving, pleasant, and safe technical equipment.
“Originally, five families shared a bathroom. We had to take turns bathing during the scorching summer, which was inconvenient,” recalled a resident surnamed Zheng.
“What was even more essential was the fact that everyone needed to use the restroom in the morning. If we couldn’t wait, we’d run to Kangjian Park. Living conditions have improved considerably since moving into the new home. I never imagined that at my age, I could live in such a lovely high-rise.”
,https://www.shine.cn/news/metro/2410185909/