On August 9, 2022, the 2022 Academic Workshop on Theory and Practice of Urban Renewal, co-hosted by the Peking University–Lincoln Institute Center for Urban Development and Land Policy (PKU-Lincoln Center) and the Future City Laboratory (Shenzhen) of Peking University, opened at the Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School. The workshop brought together 45 young scholars from domestic and overseas universities, research institutions, international organizations and relevant enterprises, aiming to disseminate theoretical knowledge and practical experience of urban renewal and boost exchanges between academia and industry practitioners.
The official opening ceremony was held on the morning of August 9. The event was presided over by Associate Professor Tong De, Executive Director of the Future City Laboratory (Shenzhen). Professor Li Guicai, Director of the Future City Laboratory (Shenzhen), and Liu Zhi, Director of the PKU-Lincoln Center, delivered welcome addresses on behalf of the two co-organizers respectively. Professor Li Guicai emphasized the vital role of urban renewal in addressing China’s contemporary economic and social demands. Director Liu Zhi introduced the workshop’s background, organizing institutions, detailed agenda and invited expert speakers. The opening session closed with self-introductions of all participants, who built mutual understanding in a relaxed and lively atmosphere.
To equip participants with direct, hands-on insights into urban renewal practices, two field visits to representative local projects were arranged prior to the opening ceremony: the holistic village-wide land consolidation project of Shahu Community in Pingshan District, Shenzhen, and the Yuanfen Weitang comprehensive renovation project in Longhua District.
On the morning of August 8, Zhong Xijian, Chairman of the Shenzhen Pingshan Shahu Joint Stock Cooperative Company; Lai Weisheng, Deputy Director of the Pingshan District Planning and Natural Resources Research Center; Wu Zhenghong, Director of the District Party Committee Policy Research Office; and design specialists from AECOM briefed workshop participants on Shenzhen’s policy framework for benefit-coordinated land consolidation and on-the-ground practices implemented in Shahu Community. As a municipal pilot project for land consolidation, the Shahu Community initiative laid a solid empirical foundation for the formulation of the Measures for the Administration of Benefit-Coordinated Land Consolidation Projects in Shenzhen, and pioneered an innovative urban renewal pathway for the city.
On the afternoon of August 8, participants toured the Weitang New Youth Community in Yuanfen New Village, Longhua District. Wang Jieshu, Deputy General Manager of the Community Operations Center at Shenzhen Vision Weitang Commercial Management Co., Ltd., shared insights covering the operational model of unified rental renovation during comprehensive upgrading, associated socioeconomic impacts, and the government’s role in the process.
These site visits enabled participants to gain in-depth understanding of Shenzhen’s innovative urban renewal models and the practical challenges they entail, inspiring extensive real-world reflections. Attendees brought practical questions to subsequent lectures, case studies and academic discussions, promising substantial learning gains throughout the workshop.
Running for a full week, the workshop consists of four core modules: field investigations of Shenzhen’s landmark land consolidation and comprehensive renovation projects, eight thematic lectures, scenario-simulated case analysis, and a problem-oriented participatory seminar themed "Exploring Key Issues in Urban Renewal".
Field visits to the integrated village land consolidation project in Shahu Community, Pingshan District, and the comprehensive renovation initiative in Yuanfen, Longhua District, to study practical urban renewal experience and the comprehensive economic, social and livelihood benefits delivered by localized old town regeneration.
Classroom learning rooted in field observation, with leading experts delivering comprehensive lectures covering three-olds renovation, urban renewal theories, land operation mechanisms, legal issues, affordable housing solutions, spatial effects of urban renewal, planning implementation, and international urban renewal best practices.
Scenario simulation and case analysis with customized scene design and role assignment. Participants apply theories acquired in lectures to devise targeted solutions, then discuss the feasibility, real-world applicability and implementation barriers of each proposal.
Problem-oriented participatory workshop to recap course knowledge and exchange takeaways. Discussions on theoretical and practical dilemmas consolidate participants’ grasp of cutting-edge issues surrounding urban renewal and old town regeneration, and identify pressing and underrecognized challenges requiring resolution.
By integrating theoretical learning with on-the-ground practice, the workshop seeks to deepen participants’ multi-layered comprehension of urban renewal and old neighborhood regeneration. It also encourages attendees to share acquired knowledge and translate workshop methodologies into real-world practice after returning to their respective professional roles.
Contributor: Mu Enyi
Photographer: Li Yunhe
