A blueprint for urban renewal

Architect Wang Shu carries two distinct yet intertwined identities: the first Chinese to claim the Pritzker Architecture Prize — regarded as the highest honor in architecture — and a dedicated member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Following a CPPCC group discussion during the two sessions last Friday, Wang, known for his sense of social responsibility, shared his insights on urban regeneration with China Daily, a topic he has championed for three consecutive years.

Wang's proposals have consistently aligned with the central government's strategies on urban regeneration. His focus has evolved from advocating for supportive policies in 2024, to emphasizing the bottom line of cultural and lifestyle preservation in 2025, and promoting institutional implementation this year.

Starting in 2024, the government reports have highlighted urban regeneration for three consecutive years. This year, the report emphasizes advancing high-quality urban renewal, steadily implementing renovations of old urban areas and villages within cities, with the goal of building modern cities for the people.

As urbanization reaches a certain stage, central urban areas inevitably face challenges such as population decline and aging infrastructure, making their renewal an essential issue in urban development.

"So far, we have yet to establish a systematic approach to driving urban regeneration," says the 62-year-old. He acknowledges the complexity of the issue, which poses challenges both in China and abroad.

Wang's exploration into urban regeneration dates back to 2007, when he conducted an experimental project on the subject on Zhongshan Road in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

The historical street, once pulsing with Song Dynasty (960-1279) timber structures and mid-20th-century brick-and-mortar homes, had deteriorated into a "village within a city" amid the rapid tide of urbanization. In 2007, Wang, together with over 200 faculty members and students from the China Academy of Art, moved into the decaying neighborhood.

For six months they carried out extensive research, culminating in a plan that defied conventional wisdom at the time: halt all demolitions and instead renovate every building in place. At a time when the prevailing approach favored wholesale demolition and reconstruction, this proposal was a radical stance.

In order to preserve the architectural diversity of the area, Wang invited nearly 20 young architectural teams to collaborate, assigning each a portion of the neighborhood to redesign. Modern structures were interwoven with historical fabric, creating an environment where old and new could coexist. Three years later, when Zhongshan Road was reopened to the public, it attracted nearly a million visitors within just one week.

"Many people think that building new structures in historically preserved neighborhoods is nearly impossible," Wang says. "But I believe cities, by their very nature, should embody both the old and the new, sustaining vitality through their dialogue."

His vision for urban renewal is deeply rooted in two intertwined influences: the intricate fabric of city streets and alleys, and his enduring focus on rural construction. For Wang, "to find the living essence of Chinese culture, one must look to the countryside".

In 2012, fresh from receiving the Pritzker Architecture Prize, Wang was approached at a hotel in Beijing with an invitation to design a museum for the Fuyang district in Hangzhou. Instead of jumping at the high-profile opportunity, Wang had an unexpected condition: "If you want me to build a museum, you must first let me renovate a village."