Students and faculty from the Class of 2025, majoring in Urban Planning and Safety Engineering at the School of Digital Construction and Blasting Engineering, recently conducted a practice-based “City Walk” focused on urban renewal and safe construction. Exploring the historic Hankou district allowed them to observe urban history firsthand and deepen their understanding of the "People-Oriented City" development philosophy.
The students explored several iconic sites in historic Hankou, including Lanling Gate along the Yangtze River, the Bagong Mansion on Lihuangpi Road, the Pinghe Packing Factory, Xian’an Mansions, and the Hankou Art Museum. At each location, faculty provided instruction on the area’s historical evolution, developmental trajectory, and functional transformations over time. These discussions also engaged with key challenges in urban regeneration—such as heritage conservation, underground space safety, property redevelopment tied to industrial revitalization, comprehensive functional repositioning, and innovative planning and design approaches.
The students said that the fieldwork brought their theoretical knowledge to life, turning abstract concepts into hands-on learning. This experience deepened their sense of responsibility as future urban builders, reinforcing their commitment to putting people first and treating safety as a fundamental bottom line. They also came to believe that thoughtfully navigating the balance between preservation, renovation, and redevelopment is key to fostering truly humane and resilient communities.
By Zhang Jiaxing, Chen Minying and Li Sha
