In the shadow of Shanghai's glittering skyscrapers, a quiet revolution is transforming the city's historic lanes. Authorities have completed a decade-long urban renewal project addressing one of Asia's most persistent urban challenges: the 'night soil bucket' problem that plagued residents in aging communities for generations.
The initiative, showcased during World Cities Day observances, demonstrates China's innovative approach to balancing modernization with heritage preservation. By September 2025, over 14,000 households saw sanitation upgrades through targeted 'micro-renovation' strategies that preserved iconic red brick walls and wooden window frames while installing modern plumbing.
'We can't move towards modernization carrying night soil buckets,' became the rallying cry for planners tackling neighborhoods where 19th-century infrastructure left residents dependent on public toilets. The solution emerged through Shanghai's 'one policy per district' model, combining structural reinforcement with discreet infrastructure upgrades using existing underground spaces.
Chuansha New Town's success story highlights the approach: integrated sanitary facilities replaced outdated systems without altering neighborhood character. Resident participation proved crucial, with communities co-designing solutions through public consultations and quality supervision during construction.
This urban transformation aligns with the 2025 World Cities Day theme of building people-centered smart cities. As Shanghai prepares to host the Global Conference on Urban Sustainable Development, its lane renewal model offers developing cities worldwide a blueprint for upgrading historic areas while maintaining cultural identity.
