Participatory planning brings new changes to the community and assists in the construction of high-quality urban areas

Various streets in Pudong are carrying out the construction of high-quality urban areas, focusing not only on improving the quality of streets, green spaces, and squares, but also on improving the quality of residential areas by addressing weaknesses, strengths, and weaknesses. In Huamu Street, various residential areas are using the Autonomous Gold Project as a starting point to carry out community improvement work through the full process of people's democracy, and one community after another is undergoing a new look.

Participatory planning brings a new look to the community

With the progress of ground renovation, garden reshaping, and other projects in Lane 57 of Yulan Road, a happy courtyard has begun to take shape. This community was built in 1997 and is a typical representative of the old Huamu community. For many years, the public facilities in the community have aged, and the roads and walls have been damaged. Residents have been hoping to promote community renewal and create a clean, tidy, and beautiful living environment again.

In March of this year, Huamu Street launched the Autonomous Gold Project. The Mudan Seventh Neighborhood Committee, affiliated with Lane 57 of Yulan Road, applied for the project with the theme of "participatory planning" and received recognition and support from the street. Participatory planning organically integrates the ideas of professional designers and ordinary residents, and is a mature grassroots practice of practicing people's democracy throughout the entire process.

In the early stage of the project, the neighborhood committee collected feedback from residents on community issues through on-site research, resident visits, and other forms, including "insufficient parking spaces", "improper placement of garbage bins", "need to improve greenery", and "old and disrepair road surfaces". Afterwards, the neighborhood committee convened a hearing for residents, invited them to discuss this "list of issues", and sorted out the "demand list" of the project, which was then handed over to professional designers for processing one by one.

Based on the "demand list", the designer has designed and planned a complete set of renovation plans, including "adding parking spaces to some of the stairs", "adjusting the position of garbage bins", "adding health trails", etc. This "smart list" that integrates the needs of residents and the designer's professional knowledge has been unanimously recognized by everyone. The neighborhood committee has introduced resources from relevant departments and co construction units in the street, and mobilized capable residents to carry out autonomy. Currently, the "Happiness Courtyard" has been completed, and the community is presenting a new appearance to the residents.

The Longgou New Garden located on Fanghua Road also adopts the approach of "Autonomous Gold Project+Participatory Planning" to carry out environmental improvement work. Especially in the construction of public green spaces, the neighborhood committee invites residents and planners to participate in hearings and collect opinions from all parties to build a "community shared garden". The ultimate birth was not only the beautified garden green space, but also the garden reception hall for residents to discuss and relax, and gave rise to the "small courtyard at home" designed and constructed by residents themselves.

Residents become project "partners"

In this grassroots practice of people's democracy throughout the entire process, the role of community planners is very important. They are first and foremost community residents, understanding every blade of grass and tree around them, and being able to provide the most accurate needs; At the same time, they also need to master professional knowledge in design and horticulture, and have a certain level of professionalism. Jiang Jing, who lives in Aijian Garden in the Blue Sky residential area, is an excellent community planner.

Jiang Jing has a master's degree, mastery of multiple languages, and strong learning abilities. At the same time, she was concerned about the community and became a building leader after retirement, taking on many building and community affairs. With the support of the Autonomous Gold Project, she signed up for training as a community planner and participated in the improvement and construction of the community space.

"Considering the experience and functionality, and taking into account the suggestions of residents, we have selected the location of the public space in the community on the elevated floor of Building 3. Then, we conducted in-depth research on relevant information, visited other communities on site, studied successful public space construction situations, and integrated them into our own plans." Jiang Jing said.

There is also a group of young children in the community planner group, providing a "one meter perspective". The Datang Natural History Museum and the "Hejiahuan" Garden Reception Hall... many projects stem from their childlike charm and curiosity. Huamu Street uses "small brain holes" to trigger "big governance". Small planners not only come up with creative ideas, but also become "small governance forces", inspiring community awareness.

For example, in the construction of the living room of the "Hejiahuan" Garden in Longgou New Garden, the little planner carefully considered and cast his own vote on which plants to choose for the planting area; They also picked up paintbrushes and carried out painted decorations for the planting area. At the same time, as a "speaker", the small planner plays a role of "small hands holding big hands", leading more residents to participate in the "participatory planning" action, allowing everyone to water the growth of the community with love.

Applying autonomous funds to "li zi" is a popular expression being explored and practiced in the boutique urban area of Huamu Street. In the future, Huamu Street will further explore community autonomy projects, combine them with the construction of boutique urban areas, achieve "dual improvement" of community environment and autonomous atmosphere, respond to the expectations and needs of residents, and enhance the happiness and satisfaction of the masses.

*Reprinted from official WeChat account released by Pudong