The Participatory Community Planning Research and Practice Center integrates design and social sciences to focus on urban community renewal in Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region. It explores innovative models of governance, planning, and design across spatial and social dimensions, aiming to empower community development and renewal through social design.
Recognized by the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau as one of the city’s first “Participatory Community Planning Practice Bases,” the center has undertaken research and implemented projects in more than 10 communities in Jing’an and Fengxian districts under the “Beautiful Communities Initiative.” Notable projects include Co-Creation of Happy Living Spaces in Lingyun Subdistrict and the Continuous Community Garden Collaboration in Xidu Subdistrict, both widely reported.
The center has also established long-term practice bases through cooperation agreements with Hongqiao Subdistrict (Changning District), Changqiao Subdistrict (Xuhui District), and Xincun Subdistrict (Fengxian District), strengthening university–community collaboration in urban renewal.
