"Back then, hauling chamber pots and queuing for public toilets was just daily life. Now, I can see Shanghai’s iconic landmarks right from my new balcony. It’s like living in a dream!" This September, as she received the keys to her new home, Ms. Chen, a resident of Tanjiaqiao Road, spoke with a mix of joy and disbelief. From cramped, dilapidated housing without basic amenities to modern, fully equipped apartments, and from the longtime struggle with chamber pots to breathtaking skyline views outside their windows, Jing'an District has turned years of relentless urban renewal efforts into a dual triumph, elevating both living standards and the city's landscape.
Solving the chamber pot dilemma: Wisdom of outdoor cluster renovation
Carrying chamber pots was once a thorn in the side for countless residents in Jing'an's old neighborhoods. In Lane 433 of Yuyuan Road, a community with over 80 years of history, 38 households shared just two dilapidated public toilets. At peak times, more than 180 people crowded into the area, exacerbating the sanitation crisis—so much so that over two-thirds of long-term residents chose to move away in frustration. With aging building structures and limited options for indoor renovations, how could this pressing livelihood issue be addressed?
Jing'an District found its solution through an innovative approach of outdoor cluster renovation. In 2018, through negotiations with property owners, the district repurposed a vacant 100-square-meter warehouse adjacent to the public toilets. Combined with the existing facilities, it was transformed into 39 private, one-household-one-toilet units, each roughly one square meter in size. These compact yet fully functional spaces came equipped with sinks, electrical outlets, individual water and electricity meters, and some even added shower capabilities. This renovation not only resolved residents' sanitation challenges but also fundamentally transformed the living environment of the residential community, restoring dignity and privacy to their daily lives.
The success of this pioneering initiative has provided invaluable insights for subsequent renovation. Between 2024 and 2025, Jing'an District completed the renovation of 1,930 households lacking sanitation facilities as scheduled. Among these, 1,904 units were addressed through scattered renovation projects, while the remaining 26 households, not eligible for the project, were permanently freed from chamber pots through customized "one-household-one-solution" approaches involving either indoor modifications or outdoor expansions.
From solving individual cases like Lane 433 on Yuyuan Road to implementing district-wide systematic solutions, the outdoor cluster renovation model has emerged as a golden key for transforming aging homes. Through its breakthrough approach of "creating something from nothing", its ability to resolve neighborhood conflicts, and its space-efficient advantages, this model has restored the most fundamental dignity of sanitation to residents living in severely space-constrained old dwellings.
Advancing comprehensive housing renovation: A multi-pronged approach to fulfill public welfare commitments ahead of schedule
If outdoor cluster renovation was the smart solution to interim housing needs, comprehensive old housing renovation represents a substantive project to fulfill residents' dreams of proper homes.
As the district with the largest inventory of substandard "small beam, thin slab" buildings in Shanghai, Jing'an has taken on additional pressure, accelerating the target of "completing all such housing renovations by the end of 2027" proposed by the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and Shanghai Municipal People's Government to achieve it by 2025 instead.
Wang Yanfeng, Deputy Director of the Housing Administration Bureau of Jing'an District, explained the district's tailored, multi-strategy approach to address residents' housing conditions through various channels. "For neighborhoods with relatively independent spaces that can be uniformly planned, we adopt demolition and reconstruction for renovation. For areas where demolition and reconstruction are not feasible, we carry out renovations through on-site upgrades based on the actual conditions of the buildings. For cases constrained by harsh surrounding conditions, making demolition, reconstruction, or on-site upgrades impractical, we opt for relocation-based solutions. Overall, the ultimate goal is to ensure private kitchens and bathrooms for every household, improve living environments, and help residents live comfortably and securely."
In 2023, Fanguanong Residential Community achieved a 100% signing and relocation rate, becoming the sole designated community for the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee leadership's thematic education program.
On October 25, 2024, the Pushan Residential Community project initiated resident signings, achieving full completion on the same day. By November 8, 100% of residents had signed.
On February 8, 2025, the project at No. 30-31, Lane 627 of Yuyuan Road commenced resident signings, reaching full completion on the same day.
On February 10, 2025, the project at No. 5-14, Lane 1377 of Zhongxing Road began signings, taking effect immediately. Full completion was achieved by March 11.
On March 5, 2025, the project at No. 695 of Changde Road commenced resident signings, reaching full completion on the same day.
On May 30, 2025, the last small-beam thin-slab project in Jing’an District—the Baoshan Road project—was successfully signed into effect, marking the complete clearance of all small-beam thin-slab projects in the district. This accomplishment was achieved two and a half years ahead of the city's target.
For 65-year-old Wang Shan, who has lived on the second floor of 601 Baoshan Road for 40 years, the renovation project has brought profound changes. For her community built in the 1960s-70s, the biggest issue was shared kitchens and bathrooms. At its worst, eight households on the same floor had to share just two tiny bathrooms, each measuring only 1.7 square meters. "Waiting in line for showers, waiting in line for the toilet, even waiting in line just to wash dishes or vegetables!" Now, through a combination of renovation, expansion, and additional floors, the project has transformed the building. The revamped residential complex adds two new floors and an elevator, increasing the total floor area to about 8,000 square meters. Most importantly, every household now has its private kitchen and bathroom, finally putting an end to the decades-long struggle for basic living conditions.
Revitalizing the city's Image: An elevation from basic housing to quality living
The renovation project has not only transformed living conditions but also driven comprehensive upgrades in urban functionality, community amenities, and overall quality of life. In 2025, two major projects—Pengyi Residential Community and Tanjiaqiao Road—successfully welcomed residents back to their renewed homes. Residents of Pengyi Residential Community moved into their new homes in July, while those in the Tanjiaqiao Road project began their new chapter in September.
Ms. Chen, who had lived in the Tanjiaqiao Residential Community for nearly four decades, rushed to the bathroom the moment she received her new apartment keys. The brand-new private toilet and complete shower facilities made her beam with joy. "Mornings used to mean emptying chamber pots, evenings carrying water buckets. These were fixed routines," she recalled. "Elderly neighbors would risk falls carrying waste down creaky wooden stairs. Now, after waiting a lifetime, my dream of having a private bathroom has finally come true!"
Stepping out of the bathroom, Ms. Chen opened her balcony window to a breathtaking view: Shanghai's three landmarks shimmering in sunlight formed a magnificent urban silhouette. Looking down, the transformed neighborhood has revealed itself—buildings with tasteful gray facades and modern glass bay windows arranged in harmonious tiers. The once-narrow alleyways, nicknamed "a slit of sky", now boast lush greenery where plants thrive in perfect harmony, bringing vibrant life right outside her window. Well-designed public facilities create dedicated leisure spaces for all ages, while previously cramped corners have become cozy gathering spots for neighborly chats. From meeting basic needs to enjoying scenic views, the long-cherished dream of "joyful living" is now becoming a reality in this revitalized community.
By 2025, Jing'an District had achieved its annual target of renovating 16,500 square meters of old housing units, benefiting 522 households. Currently, approximately 170,000 square meters of non-self-contained employee housing still await renovation in the district. Moving forward, the renovation process will continue based on regional development plans, taking into comprehensive consideration residents' needs, actual housing conditions, and community supporting facilities, to further promote high-quality development.
The Jing'an renovation project transcends mere physical upgrades; it represents a systematic transformation centered on improving people's livelihoods. Through innovative outdoor cluster renovation, it addresses sanitation challenges to ensure basic living standards. The widespread construction of independent bathrooms establishes foundations for comfortable living, while enhanced facilities and improved environments elevate residential quality. Demonstrating remarkable ingenuity in maximizing limited space, the project charts an effective path for urban renewal in old neighborhoods.
As more residents open their new windows, the view encompasses not just Shanghai's glittering skyline but tangible proof of a people-first approach, where high-quality development continuously delivers on the promise of housing security and neighborhood joy.