The Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Zone's "Three Lakes" district, home to Chery's global R&D headquarters (Phase I of the Fengming Innovation Center), exemplifies Anhui's urban renewal efforts. With its blue-brick roofs, ancient trees, and restored cultural landmarks like Deng Shiru's study, the Zhang Family Pharmacy, and Yan Fengying's former residence, the revitalized Anqing Daguan Pavilion Historical and Cultural Block—once hailed as "Half of Anqing City"—has re-emerged from history. During this year's National Day holiday, the block attracted over 810,000 visitors, rekindling pride among locals as the ancient riverside city regained its vibrancy.
This marks a significant step in Anhui's first batch of urban renewal projects. Beyond architectural restoration, these initiatives have revitalized cities and improved residents' lives. In recent years, Anhui has implemented central government directives on urban renewal, focusing on high-quality development through systematic upgrades in urban structure, functionality, and vitality. The province has planned 214 urban renewal zones with 519 key projects totaling 431.7 billion yuan in investment. The first phase covers 51 zones with 196 projects, achieving 79.49 billion yuan (55.7% of planned investment) so far.
**Enhancing Urban Functions** Anhui adopts an "inspection-renewal integration" approach, prioritizing infrastructure upgrades to improve living standards and urban resilience. The province pioneered comprehensive city health assessments across all municipalities and counties, establishing a regular evaluation system with 71 indicators. Through big data, surveys, and on-site checks, it identifies critical issues and conducts specialized assessments in flood control, historical preservation, and green spaces. For instance, drainage system evaluations led to 45 billion yuan in national funding for 450 flood management projects.
Infrastructure upgrades include 22,000 km of underground pipeline renovations and province-wide urban lifeline safety projects covering gas, bridges, and water systems. Meanwhile, 6,178 old residential communities have been renovated, benefiting 1.24 million households, with 15,000 elevators installed. In Ningguo, a former food factory dormitory transformed through resident-led "self-renewal," dilapidated buildings were rebuilt with improved safety and comfort, achieving 100% resident satisfaction.
**Elevating Urban Quality** Anhui emphasizes cultural preservation and ecological restoration. Hefei's "Hefei Chai 1972" cultural park, repurposed from a prison and diesel factory into a arts hub, has become a popular landmark. Huangshan’s Xin’an Child-Friendly Park, featuring local cultural elements, was listed among China’s exemplary child-friendly spaces. The province has also built 936 "pocket parks" and 2,824 km of urban greenways.
Wuhu’s "People’s Lounge" project transformed public spaces into multifunctional areas, while the Zhujiaqiao Tailwater Purification Park revitalized barren land under a bridge into an ecological oasis.
**Boosting Urban Vitality** Anhui fosters innovation through public-private partnerships, forming an urban renewal alliance and adopting EPCO contracting models. Ma’anshan’s Yushan Lake district, for example, attracted 110 businesses and 200 million yuan in private investment, repurposing 55,000 sqm of underused spaces. The province has also developed 10 advanced manufacturing clusters and cultural tourism IPs like "King Wu’s Mound" and "Six-Foot Lane."
Financially, Anhui allocated 320 million yuan in incentives and introduced a 1.3 billion yuan loan subsidy program, leveraging 22.92 billion yuan in bank loans. It secured 50.42 billion yuan in special bonds for renewal projects in 2025.
From functional upgrades to vitality enhancement, Anhui’s renewal strategy—spanning planning, construction, and operation—charts a path for Chinese urban modernization with local wisdom.
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