China Launches Urban Renewal Plan for 2026-2030

The Government of China has launched a comprehensive urban renewal plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030) to modernize aging city infrastructure and residential areas. Released by the State Council in May 2026, the strategy targets the renovation of 115,000 old urban residential compounds, 500,000 units of dilapidated housing, and 4,000 shanty towns by 2030.

The plan prioritizes homes built before 2000, focusing on structural wear and the installation of 770,000 kilometers of gas, water, sewage, and heating pipelines. To ensure utility reliability and flood resilience, China is integrating an internet-of-things ecosystem for predictive maintenance. Additionally, 5,000 neighborhoods will be renovated to integrate childcare and elderly care services.

Industrial and cultural strategies include a vertical expansion model known as industry going upstairs, exemplified by Ma’anshan Shangdian Electrical Co doubling its floor space. The government also plans to transform abandoned industrial sites into tourism hubs, such as the ArxanTaikang Art Center. For historic preservation, a holistic approach will be applied to 145 designated historic cities and 72,000 recognized buildings.

These efforts follow the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), which saw the renovation of over 240,000 urban compounds. That period benefited 110 million residents through the installation of 129,000 elevators and 3.4 million parking spaces. Local initiatives, such as the Shimin Xincun project in Shanghai's Huangpu District, serve as precursors to this national expansion by replacing 1950s-era buildings with modern apartments.