SHENZHEN is sprucing up public spaces ahead of the APEC meetings. Improvements include bus stops, shopping districts, parks and multilingual street signs, as the city seeks to make public areas more welcoming to global visitors.

At Shixia Times Plaza in Futian District, kiosks, seating, flowerbeds and lighting have been added to part of the sidewalk, creating a gathering spot for residents. The mall has opened 70% of the space to the public free of charge. The project reflects Shenzhen’s “block-based” approach to community management, which divides neighborhoods into smaller areas and encourages residents, businesses and local officials to work together on everyday issues.

“It’s much neater than before, when e-bikes were parked everywhere, and there’s now a place for pedestrians to rest,” said Xia, a nearby resident who often meets neighbors there after dinner. She said the plaza had become a new place for residents to relax.

Since last year, Shenzhen has promoted a four-tier model of block-based urban management: city-level coordination, district-level implementation, day-to-day management by subdistricts and community-level participation. Each community is assigned a small management area where government agencies, businesses and residents collaborate to address local challenges local issues.

Bantian in Longgang District has formed a team of 200 volunteers to serve 12 blocks. They patrol streets, encourage civility and cleanliness, and mediate disputes between enforcement officers and street vendors. The program has recorded over 5,000 volunteer shifts across more than 600 operations.

Across Shenzhen, 697 blocks in 74 subdistricts have been assigned 741 specialists to address urban environmental issues. Practices developed in 13 pilot subdistricts will be extended to other parts of the city. A digital management system tested in Fubao and Henggang subdistricts is also set to roll out citywide.

A 21-meter-long APEC-themed flower display recently opened at Lianhuashan Park in Futian. It features bougainvillea, Shenzhen’s official city flower, as well as roses, hydrangeas, lily of the valley and winter jasmine. Its design represents APEC’s 21 member economies and symbolizes cooperation and shared prosperity across the Asia-Pacific.

APEC-themed displays have also been installed at other parks and cultural landmarks around the city. Thirty-two landscape installations and three plant sculptures are on display at Nantou Ancient Town, Zhongshan Park and Shenzhen Talent Park.

A Nanshan District resident said the displays prompted her child to ask what APEC is, giving her a chance to explain the meetings. “These are not just decorations — they are an invitation from the city to the world,” she said.

Shenzhen has more than 1,300 parks, and green spaces have been added to residential areas, campuses, roadside plots and urban villages, including on previously underused land. About 91% of residents live within walking distance of a park or green space. The city is also working with private firms to develop parks that combine recreation, culture, sports and technology. More than 100 reading rooms have been built in parks.

In Futian, 1,534 bilingual banners have been put up along roads, and 1,412 bus-stop posters have been updated. APEC images are also being shown on 296 outdoor screens and 633 screens in residential compounds and office buildings.

Twenty photo spots and small landscape displays have been installed at locations including hotels, the Shenzhen International Communication Center, Huaqiangbei and Huanggang Port. Mr. Chen, a shopkeeper in Huaqiangbei, said the displays had attracted passersby and customers.

“APEC is drawing the world’s attention to Shenzhen, and we want to show our best side,” Chen said.

Futian has also updated barriers at 71 construction sites with APEC slogans highlighting Shenzhen’s openness and welcoming spirit.

The decorations are only the surface. Beneath them, Shenzhen is ready — clean, warm and open to the world.(Li Jing)