Urban Regeneration Design Competition: “The Appointment between Youth and City”

Wuxi, a city located in southeastern Jiangsu province in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta, is a historical hub just 128 kilometers from Shanghai. With a rich history spanning over 3,000 years, Wuxi stands out as a cultural treasure trove and talent magnet. The city is the birthplace of ancient Wu Culture and a modern center of industrial and commercial heritage. It boasts 31 state-protected heritage sites, 11 national intangible cultural heritage locations, and 60 museums and memorial halls.

In recent years, Wuxi has focused on becoming a youth-friendly city by benchmarking advanced urban planning practices. The competition “The Appointment between Youth and City” is a cornerstone of these efforts. Its aim is to address gaps in public services from the perspective of youth, fostering an environment that supports their diverse development needs while attracting talent. The initiative seeks to create a mutually beneficial relationship between urban growth and the aspirations of young people.

Competition Theme

The competition focuses on exploring the interaction between urban renewal and cultural preservation in Wuxi’s “Old Town” through the eyes of youth. By leveraging selected sites in the city, participants are tasked with combining preservation and innovation to establish models that balance historical integrity with urban progress. The ultimate goal is to create cultural and tourism landmarks that align with Wuxi’s vision as a youth-centric city.

Design Sites

Erquan Square

Details: Situated in the Chong’an Temple block, the square spans 6,550 square meters, with a core area of 800 square meters.
Significance: Named after the iconic erhu melody “The Moon Over a Fountain,” Erquan Square is a cultural emblem of Wuxi.
Design Brief: Proposals must include spatial planning, distinctive installations, and harmonious coordination of elements to create a spiritual landmark reflecting Wuxi’s cultural and urban legacy.

Zhang’s Jiale Hall

Details: Located at No. 252 Nan Chang Street, this 1930-built hall covers 564 square meters with 1,065 square meters of indoor space across two floors.
Significance: An architectural and artistic heritage site.
Design Brief: Renovations should focus on reversible methods with minimal impact, integrating modern elements to breathe new life into the historical building.

Caozhangli Food Street

Details: A bustling street under one kilometer long, situated between Yongfeng and Yongle Roads.
Significance: A vibrant hub for local cuisine and youth-centric venues like Taihu Lake Square and Wuxi Library.
Design Brief: Enhance the area’s style and streamline its layout while embracing youth culture and lifestyle aesthetics.

Liangxi District Library

Details: Located at No. 328 Renmin East Road, this five-floor library spans 10,000 square meters.
Significance: A cultural institution poised for reimagining its upper floors (3–5) due to a recent relocation.
Design Brief: Redesign these floors into dynamic cultural spaces that cater to the spiritual and intellectual needs of young people.

Yongding Bridge Park

Details: A green space of 4,095 square meters in southwest Wuxi.
Significance: Currently underutilized by youth.
Design Brief: Revitalize the park into a vibrant urban retreat, integrating youth-oriented leisure features and optimizing spatial layouts.

Design Scope

Participants can utilize a variety of formats, including architecture, landscape, sculpture, and installations. The key is to craft innovative urban environments that resonate with youth and inject vitality into Wuxi’s historical core.