The 228 Neighborhood in Yangpu District, Shanghai, stands on the former site of "Changbai First Block," a worker's new village initiated in 1951 as part of Shanghai's citywide construction of 20,000 workers' residences, known as the "20,000 households." This block is significant as one of the earliest worker's blocks from China's socialist construction period and the only remaining complete "20,000 Households" historical residential complex in Shanghai. It marks an important chapter in the city's urban development and represents early explorations in working-class residential prototypes, bearing witness to Yangpu's century-long industrial history.
In 2023, the 228 Neighborhood was completed after four years of construction. This landmark urban renewal project was designed as a "15-minute community life circle," creating a mixed-use community with long-term rental apartments, convenient services, gyms, and exhibition halls. The neighborhood serves as a central hub for public services and a popular destination for high-quality community living, offering a model for "open block" urban design for other Chinese cities.
The urban renewal of the 228 Neighborhood adhered to the principles of "restoring as is, renovating to innovate." It preserved key architectural features such as white walls and red tiles, simple and clear lines, and the concept of neighborhood sharing. The design ensured the complete preservation of all 12 "20,000 Households" buildings' spatial texture and appearance, including materials, colors, and facades, while maintaining the open space layout characteristic of the 1950s worker's new village. Designers reconstructed the main buildings on-site to retain their original appearance while removing later additions to provide more public space.
