A Year of Change: Chongqing Minzhu Village's Remarkable Community Transformation

Chongqing - Once a run-down inner-city neighborhood, Minzhu Village in Chongqing’s Jiulongpo District has undergone a striking transformation since the launch of a major urban renewal project in early 2022. 

The changes caught national attention when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the community on April 22, 2024, underscoring the importance of people-centered urban development.

One year after his visit, what’s new in Minzhu Village? As one of China’s pilot projects for old neighborhood renovation, the area has seen upgraded infrastructure, improved public services, and a renewed community spirit, while preserving its original character and cultural roots.

The soon-to-open smart farmers’ market in Chongqing Minzhu Village. (Photo/Jiulongpo District)

Old neighborhood, fresh look

Minzhu Village was once a patchwork of crumbling buildings and narrow, uneven roads. Today, its orange-red brick walls, landscaped walkways, and modern public amenities present a stark contrast to its past. The area, originally developed in the 1950s, now boasts over 160,000 square meters of renewed space, making it one of Chongqing’s largest and most comprehensive urban regeneration efforts.

A standout feature of the revitalization is the eco-friendly farmers’ market built using recycled materials. It seamlessly blends with the community’s aesthetic and reflects the project's green ambitions. Across the district, once-polluted drainage channels have become sponge parks, and neglected courtyards have been turned into fitness zones and rehearsal stages.

Residents speak up, things get done

More than just a physical facelift, Minzhu Village’s transformation emphasizes participatory governance. Through regular neighborhood meetings, residents voiced concerns that directly influenced design choices—from elevator installations and stairway slope adjustments to the construction of a new 419-space parking lot on a formerly idle plot.

“Suggestions from our community became real, visible changes outside our doors,” said resident Wu Hengmin. Wu’s words echo the sentiments of many who were actively involved in the planning and implementation process.

The new eco-friendly parking lot with 419 spaces in Chongqing Minzhu Village makes daily life more convenient for residents. (Photo/Zheng Yu)

Thanks to these efforts, Minzhu Village also welcomed its first-ever professional property management company in late 2024, ending decades of unmanaged communal spaces. For just 15 yuan a month, residents now enjoy full-time security, regular cleaning, and maintenance services.

The introduction of a smart reporting system has also significantly reduced workloads for local staff. Data entry tasks that once required more than 100 forms have been streamlined to just 13. As a result, community workers now focus on meaningful engagement, like assisting elderly residents or responding to emergencies via the integrated “Digital Chongqing” platform.

In one instance, a worker spotted smoke from a resident’s kitchen, which triggered a rapid response that involved police and volunteers within minutes. Over the past year, the community has resolved more than 1,100 resident concerns and mediated 60 disputes using this proactive approach.

A new economic ecosystem

The revitalization has also breathed new economic life into Minzhu Village. From bustling cafes and boutique stores to community art spaces, over 100 new businesses have opened in the area, many operated by former residents or young entrepreneurs drawn to the neighborhood’s charm and opportunity.

“Three coffee shops within 100 meters may seem excessive, but each brings unique ideas,” said Feng Sha, a local business owner. This spirit of creative coexistence has created a tightly knit, mutually supportive commercial ecosystem.

Among the notable examples is “Yijiao Art,” an oil painting studio founded by third-generation residents who converted two old apartments into a 200-square-meter creative space. Nearby, local eateries and specialty shops continue to grow, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a destination for both living and leisure.

Jia Chengjunlan, owner of the “Yijiao Art” space in Chongqing Minzhu Village, presents one painting. (Photo/Zheng Yu)

Minzhu Village is now part of Chongqing’s pilot program for high-quality 15-minute living circles, a concept that aims to provide residents with convenient access to healthcare, education, commerce, and public services within a short walk.

“We believe old buildings can be reborn, and quiet streets can come alive again,” said one resident. “Minzhu Village today is not what it used to be—it’s something entirely new.”

(Zhang Sha, a reporter from Chongqing Daily, contributed to this report's Chinese version.)