Wang Jingli

wangjingli0715@163.com

SHENZHEN is moving to accelerate the transformation of urban villages into urban garden-like communities, as announced at a news conference held by the Information Office of the Shenzhen Municipal Government Thursday.

This initiative is part of Shenzhen’s commitment to the High-quality Development Project for Guangdong Counties, Towns, and Villages, a key provincial strategy aimed at coordinating new urbanization and comprehensive rural revitalization.

Over half of Shenzhen’s population resides in urban villages, which total more than 1,000, according to the conference. These urban villages lack the aesthetic appeal, environmental quality, public amenities, and security standards of more modern urban communities.

To address these disparities, the city plans to intensify its management and renewal efforts to enhance the overall living standards and environment of urban villages.

Even though Shenzhen does not have rural villages within its urban regions, the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone, an enclave of Shenzhen, includes 172 traditional villages. Shenzhen has cooperated with companies to build industrial parks and promote modern agriculture and cultural tourism in these rural areas.

The city has successfully advanced the development of the Xiaomo International Logistics Port in Shenshan, transforming it into a key export hub for new energy vehicles in southern China.