Taizhou's Wenling turns urban corners into public spaces

Wenling Cultural Center. [Photo/WeChat account: wenlingfabu]

Wenling, a county-level city in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, has transformed neglected urban spaces, such as abandoned mines, vacant lots, and unused roadsides, into parks, green spaces, and leisure facilities through small-scale renovation projects.

The city has focused on underused spaces in recent years, upgrading them through targeted improvements to create more accessible public areas for residents. These projects include the former wasteland near Wayu Mountain, which was renovated into a multifunctional park featuring ecological, recreational, and cultural elements.

The city has also connected greenways along mountains and rivers, linking parks and public spaces. So far, it has built or upgraded 41 pocket parks, with most residents able to reach one within a five-minute walk.

Some projects have focused on restoring damaged urban corners. In Fangcheng community, old sidewalks, messy areas, and aging walls have been renovated while preserving historical features, with more than 50 meters of stone walls restored and redesigned to reflect Wenling's local heritage.

Wenling is also transforming its area around Wenling Cultural Center into an urban public space combining events, outdoor learning, and family activities. Covering about 23,000 square meters, it will include landscape improvements, waterfront spaces, and upgraded public facilities.

Through these projects, Wenling is improving urban functions while preserving local character, turning overlooked corners into shared spaces that enhance everyday life.