Strolling through the Taoxichuan cultural and creative block in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, the old kiln-brick pavement glistens softly under a light drizzle. Young ceramic artists and artisans set up stalls, offering handcrafted pieces they designed and fired to travelers from afar. Xiong Jinpeng, a graduate of 2023, cheerfully attends to customers while sharing, "Life is about taking chances—I want to try being my own boss." After university, he sought to start a business with minimal costs, and Jingdezhen’s revitalized market platforms, born from urban renewal, gave him that opportunity. Today, his stall generates average monthly sales of 40,000 yuan, supplemented by a growing number of online orders.
Jingdezhen boasts a millennia-long history of ceramic craftsmanship, where the tradition of “artisans gathering from all directions, and wares traveling across the world” continues to thrive. As urban renewal advances, old porcelain factories and historic lanes are being reactivated. Abandoned industrial buildings have been transformed into creative spaces, attracting young people like Xiong Jinpeng to become part of the “Jingpiao”—migrants drawn by the city’s creative energy.
Urban renewal is not only reshaping physical spaces but also nurturing new industrial ecosystems and lifestyles. Not far from the market, the third phase of the Taoxichuan project is nearing completion, offering affordable living spaces and shared workshops for young creators. It is reported that Taoxichuan now hosts over 33,000 young entrepreneurs from across the country, incubating more than 4,500 independent ceramic brands and generating billions of yuan in related industrial output annually. Since the beginning of this year, the area has held over 59 weekend and night markets, attracting approximately 3 million visitors.
"Taoxichuan focuses on renewing industrial heritage and architectural innovation, creating fertile ground for cultural creativity to flourish," said Hong Guoqiang, Director of Jingdezhen’s Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau. Currently, renewal projects are underway at sites such as the former Jingdezhen Ceramic Factory, the old granary district, and the Weimin Porcelain Factory, covering a total area of about 400,000 square meters. These spaces will be transformed into ceramic industrial museums, technology research bases, DIY creative studios, artist clusters, ceramic supermarkets, cultural markets, and heritage zones.
Traveling south from Jingdezhen along the Chang River to the Zhanggong District of Ganzhou, the Old Fuqiao人文艺术村落 (Humanities and Arts Village) is gradually taking shape. The renewal here blends artistic sensibility with everyday life. "Before the renewal, the pond behind my house was like a garbage dump, full of pests and foul odors," said 70-year-old resident You Qinggui. "At first, I didn’t understand the renewal plans and was hesitant to support them." However, after the project’s completion, foot traffic increased significantly, and his convenience store now earns 4,000–5,000 yuan per month, three to four times more than before.
The project team demolished over 70 unsafe or illegally built structures, reinforced 36 buildings, turned the former polluted pond into a scenic water feature, and upgraded water, electricity, road, and sewage systems while adding more than 800 parking spaces. Today, a preserved brick aqueduct serves as an open-air performance stage, vacant lots have become cultural plazas, and local residents operate guesthouses and shops alongside new entrepreneurs. A third phase of the project is currently advancing, focusing on renovating dilapidated houses and disorderly alleys.
"It’s natural for residents to be skeptical at first," said Xiao Xianfa, Party Secretary of Shuidong Town, Zhanggong District. "We engaged in repeated communication, created pilot models to demonstrate value, and let people see the tangible benefits of renewal." Such incremental projects adopt an “acupuncture-style” approach to revitalizing historical sites, introducing new formats through pre-planned operations to foster a blended community where old and new coexist.
From isolated improvements to district-wide regeneration, cities across China are tapping into the potential of “existing spaces” to generate “added value.” In Chongqing, the renovation of the Qiansimen Bridge urban landscape balcony is accelerating, shifting from single-point upgrades to multi-node coordinated renewal. Shenyang is adopting a “full-cycle, self-balancing” model to revitalize old neighborhoods, rejuvenating 18 vibrant blocks including Taiyuan Street and Zhongjie. Chengdu is steadily empowering older streets, lanes, and industrial areas through initiatives like the “Eight Streets, Nine Lanes, and Ten Scenes” program.
New life in old spaces is quietly igniting fresh economic dynamism nationwide. Interviews reveal that renewed streets and factory zones have seen notable increases in occupancy rates, business openings, visitor numbers, average spending, and rental values. Some locations have become popular urban check-in spots, unlocking significant potential for spurring consumption and stabilizing employment.
In Wuhu, Anhui, the “Old Shipyard 1900” offers a glimpse into a century of industrial memory: five large structures, including gantry and tower cranes, stand by the river; 14 old buildings have been restored to their original appearance; the ship processing workshop retains visible truss structures; and vast factory spaces blend exposed steel beams with glass domes. The renewal of “Old Shipyard 1900” is ongoing, with cultural and creative parks, tourism streets, and landmark office towers under construction. Commercial operations are already underway, incorporating tech experiences, cultural performances, art creation, riverside commerce, lifestyle aesthetics, and trendy fashion to strengthen and complement local industrial chains.
Zhang Chenqian, Assistant General Manager of Wuhu Riverside Culture and Tourism, explained that the “Old Shipyard 1900” project combines operation with renewal, moving beyond isolated upgrades. Under the coordination of the local cultural and tourism bureau, it links historic landmarks such as Wuhu Ancient City and the old Wuhu Customs House, introducing interactive initiatives like the “Stroll Passport” to transform linear sightseeing into areawide consumption.
Preserving memory while renewing function, restoring the old to revive vitality—from industrial sites to cultural blocks, from aging factories to artistic villages—localities are leveraging market-based approaches to repurpose idle or underused facilities. These efforts are upgrading street functions, diversifying business formats, and enhancing vibrancy. Urban renewal offers vast development space and sustained growth momentum, awakening dormant assets and allowing historical heritage to merge seamlessly with modern life.
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