When state firms try to give reality a utopian touch

In some underdeveloped corners of cities, China's urbanization drive is receiving a shot in the arm from SOEs, which are sparing no effort to help promote livelihoods across the nation. For example, as the last concrete slab was placed on the capping beam of a residential building in Shanghai on Dec 16, the renovation project of an old urban residential community entered its new chapter.

With previous infrastructure facilities all in disrepair, Pengyi Community - one of the earliest groups of modern communities to rise in the metropolis in the 1950s and considered a "community of glory" as it was home to various industries' role models - is being redeveloped by China Railway 24th Bureau Group Corp, a unit of CRCC.

The State builder said in a construction progress report in December that capping work of all buildings has been completed, and the community will embrace its residents back before the next Spring Festival arrives.

The redevelopment project has a total construction area of 210,800 square meters. The completion of its capping work marks the solid foundation for future construction, the progress report said.

The project has been given significance since its construction began, as it matters a lot to livelihoods of a large number of resettling families. According to CR24, upon completion, it will provide about 2,242 housing units. Various supportive facilities, including underground parking lots, spaces for exercises and business areas, are also included in the redevelopment plan, effectively addressing urban residents'resettlement concerns.

To offer more residents living-friendly solutions and ensure smooth occupancy upon the completion of the residential complex, the project includes a wide range of construction tasks, including civil engineering, interior and exterior design, and the installation of water, electricity and heating systems, all of which present challenges during construction.

The project builders managed to achieve timely delivery at every step of the construction process through smooth coordination, optimized construction procedures and reasonable scheduling. They also employed new approaches to reduce on-site operations, thereby minimizing material waste and environmental impacts.

During an executive meeting in late July, the State Council, China's Cabinet, approved guidelines on transforming and upgrading underdeveloped areas in mega-cities to support the economy.

The transformation of such areas is a positive move to expand domestic demand and increase effective investment. Residential renovation often comes with a slew of supporting projects such as commerce, education, hospital and elderly care facilities, said Yang Weiyong, an associate professor of economics at the University of International Business and Economics.

"These renovation projects can not only meet demands at different levels and make up for imbalances in urban development, but also help expand domestic demand and optimize the current structure of the real estate sector," Yang said.

In January, China State Construction Engineering Corp, another State building major, finished redeveloping an old housing project in Beijing, in a community located in Huapichang Hutong.

"My new home has excellent lighting and ventilation now, and it is such a relief that finally there is an elevator in this building. My neighbors and I are all satisfied and extremely happy with our new house," said Jin Guilian, who has been living in the community for decades, and is now busy decorating her house for Spring Festival 2024.

With the nation's high-quality development progressing steadily, Tao's Peach Blossom Spring could well be acquiring dimensions of reality.