Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

LIKE cells of an organism, a community is the smallest and most basic unit in urban management. A community also represents a link that can reach into people’s lives and gather their opinions.

Themed, “New Community in Urban Renewal,” the 2018 NNN Urban Design Festival Joyful Yutian-Villages was formally opened in Shenzhen on Dec. 23. The design festival was divided into three parts, including a thematic forum, design practice and community building.

This year, the design festival joined hands with global design teams to update the public and residential space of Xinhua Road in Changning District of Shanghai and Yutian Community in Futian District of Shenzhen.

After more than half a year’s preparatory work, the micro renewal of Yutian Community in Shenzhen has entered the detailed design stage. All of the renovation projects are expected to be completed in the spring of 2019, according to the organizer.

As a key part of the festival, a thematic forum was held at Vanke Design Commune in Nanshan District on Dec. 23, exploring business model innovation and youth entrepreneurship in community revitalization.

Six community experts from around the world, namely Kinoshita Hitoshi, Zhou Yuru, Zhang Yuxing, Ian Rowen, Loretta Ho and Shuhei Aoyama, were invited to share their discoveries and interesting experiences in urban renewal and community building in different places.

As another section of the festival, design practice was aimed at invigorating urban streets through the power of design and joint efforts between sociologists, architects, designers and artists.

According to the organizer, nine designers, or teams, have participated in the renovation of Yutian Community, and five design plans were showcased to local residents at the central square of the community Nov. 10. The plans chosen by the residents will be implemented in early 2019.

Meanwhile, a series of community activities initiated by the organizing committee are also being carried out while the festival is being held. These activities, held at a street-oriented store in Yutian Community, are launched weekly to motivate residents’ participation and strengthen ties in the community.

First launched in Shanghai in 2017, the NNN Urban Design Festival focuses on issues related to urban space development. It advocates connecting architecture, design and art through creative practices and bringing energy to urban spaces.

Organized by AssBook Group, the festival will last until the spring of 2019.