China will step up urban renewal efforts in 2026 to secure a good start for housing and urban-rural development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), said the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

In a recent interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Ni Hong, minister of housing and urban-rural development, introduced the marked progress that China has achieved in dealing with problems of urban renewal in 2025.

Over the past year, he said, a total of 26,000 old urban residential communities had been renovated, with 14,000 elevators installed, benefiting more than 4.7 million residents. Also, over 4,700 pocket parks and 5,800 kilometers of urban greenways were completed to enhance the living environment. The upgrading of 156,000 kilometers of underground pipelines further strengthened urban infrastructure resilience.

To further advance high-quality urban renewal, China will carry out comprehensive assessments to identify key issues and push forward projects aimed at improving people's livelihoods, supporting development and enhancing safety, Ni said.

"The focus of people's livelihood initiatives lies in three key areas: continuing the on-going efforts to renovate aging urban residential communities highlighting stairwell upgrades, environmental improvements, and management optimization; promoting the development of integrated communities with enhanced care for children and the elderly and addressing gaps in public service facilities; and transforming small urban public spaces by increasing the number of community parks and pocket parks in neighborhoods," said he.

Urban renewal is regarded as a major driver for building modern, people-centered cities and has significant potential to stimulate investment and consumption, Ni stressed.

The ministry will promote high-quality implementation of key projects and new infrastructure, including the construction of underground pipelines and utility tunnels, as well as regular upgrades of aging gas pipelines. Meanwhile, the revitalization of old streets, factory areas, and historical sites will also be prioritized to create vibrant blocks and preserve cultural heritage.

"We will continue to strengthen urban drainage and flood prevention systems to ensure cities’ safety during flood seasons. We will accelerate the development of urban infrastructure lifeline safety projects, establish a whole-life-cycle building safety management system, and enhance building safety through mechanisms such as building inspections, dedicated management funds, and insurance arrangements," he stated.