In the urban renewal and construction process, Laoshan district fully utilizes the landscape resources of mountains and seas, which has led to the creation of a series of distinctive urban parks, providing citizens with leisure close to nature. [Photo/WeChat account: qd12301]

Citizen are happier with the urban renewal projects in Qingdao, Shandong. The development of new parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities has provided residents with more opportunities to relax, exercise, and connect with nature.

In Laoshan district of Shandong's Qingdao, a new park on the street corner has attracted nearby office workers to come by on their lunch breaks.

"Before, if I wanted to take a walk at noon, either there was nowhere to go, or I had to run far away," said a local resident Liu Ting, who works nearby. Since the park was established, she has been coming frequently, sometimes for exercise and fitness, and other times to relax and rest.

In the urban renewal and construction process, Laoshan district fully utilizes the landscape resources of mountains and seas, coordinating the planning of comprehensive parks, hilltop parks, balanced layout of pocket parks, tree-lined corridors, and the transformation and construction of street-corner parks. This has led to the creation of a series of distinctive urban parks, providing citizens with leisure places close to nature.

In response to the differentiated demands for urban public spaces, Laoshan has planned and constructed non-hardened walking paths and diverse activity spaces that cater to the needs of citizens at all ages.

Additionally, the district actively utilizes new technologies, materials, and forms, piloting the installation of smart streetlights, AR cycling, fitness stations, children's playground facilities, and more, providing citizens with interactive experiences that are more technologically advanced.

"In the past three years, Laoshan has renovated 11 hilltop parks, built 43 kilometers of greenways, established 24 pocket parks, and opened the Fushan Forest Park and Haizhilian Park. Landmark projects such as the Xiaomai Island Bridge have been completed and are in use," according to Luan Shaochen, director of the district's urban management bureau.