Since the concept of a "15-minute community life-circle" was proposed by the "Shanghai 2035" Master Plan, this city was committed to building a "life-circle" that is suitable for living, working, relaxation, education, and raising. For Shanghai, compared to the renovation of old districts and the protection of landscapes, the 15-minute community life circle is a "fundamental job" that involves a larger area and benefits a larger number of people. Among the more than 15,000 communities (in Chin, Xiao Qu) in Shanghai, about 15% of the houses were built between 1949 and 1988; about 38% of the commercial houses were built between 1989 and 2000. It can be seen that more than half of the communities are over 20 years, and the need for renewal is very urgent.
Figure 1: The chronological map of the construction of residential quarters in Shanghai
（The information of the residential area come from the public data of the Lianjia website）
1. Five-color Urban Renewal Action in Putuo District
According to the current situation of Shanghai's residential quarters and the structural characteristics of the 15-minute community life circle, it is necessary to plan from the perspective of systematic thinking. As an example of building Life-Circle, Putuo District has formed a comprehensive action plan. This plan was carefully made by considering the spatial layout with density distribution, population characteristics, current urban problems, and future development directions.
The action plan is composed of five themes and is marked by five different colours throughout the district. "Blue Water Action" refers to a water network with vibrant water-front public spaces and local identity; "Green Corridor Action" refers to greenery spaces distributed evenly around the district; "Orange Circle Action" focuses on improving community public services Function; "Livability Action" refers to the repair, transformation and reconstruction of housing to eliminate the hidden safety hazards and improve the quality of old communities; Beautiful Road Action" will comprehensively optimize the road space landscape, upgrade underground infrastructure, street furniture, and implant public art etc.
Figure2: Five-color urban renewal Action in Putuo District
2. Participational Planning Process
The essence of the 15-minute community life circle is to serve the daily life of ordinary people. The most important thing is to understand residents' everyday life and advocate an open, shared and co-created planning model.
The design of the living circle involves many aspects such as planning, construction, investment promotion, operation and maintenance, and management. It is necessary to listen to various opinions openly and transparently. Only in this way can the finalized scheme enhance the residents' sense of acquisition and belonging. Putuo District has implemented a program that combines top-down and bottom-up planning approaches. The entire planning process includes multiple roundtable meetings such as pre-consultation, mid-event discussion, and post-event evaluation. Facts have proved that this kind of openness, transparency and co-governance is very effective.
Figure3: public participation process
3. 15-Minute Life-Circle Plan in Caoyang New Village
Caoyang New Village, located in Putuo District, was built in 1951 as the frst worker's residential area in China. Recently, under the guidance of the urban renewal planning of Putuo District, Caoyang New Village also formulated the Action Plan for the Construction of a 15-minute Community Life Circle. The action plan integrates all aspects of life and is dedicated to improving the habitat from daily life.
Figure 4: map of the construction of the 15-minute living circle in Caoyang New Village
3.1 Comprehensive application of digital scenarios
In conjunction with the construction of the digital community, Cao Yang New Village is striving to become a pioneering area for the online practice of convenient commerce in Shanghai. Through the online "Lanxi Cooperative Store", residents and visitors can purchase their desired items from the virtual vending machine and then go to the post to get the items.
Figure 5: Online "Partnership Store" at Millennium Park
3.2 Management of the ecological environment
Another action is dedicated to enhancing the water environment of Cao Yang New Village. The community promotes water circulation by installing a water barrier dam, while constructing a self-purifying ecosystem of water bodies composed of both plants and animals. Multiple initiatives were taken in parallel, resulting in the creation of a fresh and bright waterfront space in Cao Yang New Village.
Figure 6: Waterfront walkway in Cao Yang New Village
3.3 Construction of community greenery space
At the same time, the community also makes full use of open space in the street corners to improve the green space coverage. Inside the green spaces, plant configurations are designed to improve the quality of spaces, so as to realize the living scene of "houses in the green, living in the garden".
Figure 7: pocket parks along Huaxi Road
3.4 Renovation of residential houses
The houses in Cao Yang New Village is in urgent need of upgrading due to their long age. Considering that this community is not only the material carrier of history but also the memory carrier of the whole city, the renovation not only improved the environment but also focused on the preservation of historical values. In the end, the living conditions have been enhanced, and the city's memory and vitality have been awakened.
Figure 8: Renovation of Caoyang Village
3.5 Improving the street environment
The street is the most important public space in the old neighbourhood and is the container for residents' daily interactions. Currently, Cao Yang New Village has completed the renovation of three streets in the core area, including the joint design and beautification of urban furniture. The "Global Call for Urban Furniture Design", based in Cao Yang New Village, has facilitated the collision of old neighbourhoods and new ideas and has introduced numerous works of art.
Figure 9: A transformer substation in Cao Yang New Village, which is now treated as a popular meeting point after architectural renovation
3.6 Bringing art into daily life
In addition to convenient services and a vibrant community atmosphere, the "Community Living Circle" initiative is also dedicated to bringing art into daily life. Cao Yang New Village cooperates with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music on a bi-monthly music festival; with the China Academy of Art on a spring and autumn creative season; and with Tongji University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University on a better living practice base and open classroom. This series of activities make the community an art gallery, art museum, and concert hall around the residents.
Figure 10: Music festival in Cao Yang New Village
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/JMjWsgGm4nf66tYecG4ecA
Edited and translated by Hou Ying
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