The kitchen before renovation

Master Nie cooking in the renovated kitchen

On January 2nd, morning light streamed through brand-new glass windows, illuminating the bright living room of Master Nie’s home in the Grinding Wheel Factory dormitory in Gudian Street, Qiaokou District, Wuhan. A table was set with steaming hot dishes, and the family sat around it, their laughter filling the air. «This is our first New Year in our new home, and it feels very secure and warm,» said Master Nie. Just a year ago, he and his neighbors were still living in low, dilapidated, and precarious bungalows, worrying day and night about wind and rain. This comprehensive renovation has completely rewritten the fate of these old dormitories, allowing some residents to realize their long-awaited dream of a safe and comfortable home.

It is understood that the Grinding Wheel Factory dormitory was built in the early 1980s, originally intended as temporary bungalow housing to alleviate the factory workers’ housing difficulties. Unexpectedly, this «temporary» arrangement lasted over forty years. Eroded by time, the area gradually deteriorated into a dangerous building complex rated as Class D. «That’s the level requiring immediate demolition,» said a community worker. Most residents here are long-term occupants of several decades, with the deepest personal experience of living in such hazardous conditions.

«We were most afraid of rain and snow,» Master Nie recalled with lingering fear. «When it poured outside, it would drizzle inside. The whole family, young and old, would scramble to find basins to catch the leaks. In winter, we prayed it wouldn’t snow, fearing the roof might collapse. Living there, we were on edge every single day.» Walls were cracked, doors and windows leaked drafts, termites ran rampant, and rodents were everywhere. During the rainy season, flooding was a common occurrence.

A turning point arrived in 2025. The Qiaokou District Housing and Urban Renewal Bureau allocated special funds amounting to several hundred thousand yuan specifically for implementing the old housing renovation. Gudian Street and the Junyuan Community proactively advanced the project’s concrete implementation. Street and community staff became frequent visitors to the construction site, working intensively to coordinate with the construction team to expedite progress while also acting as attentive caretakers, meticulously addressing the personalized needs of each household: one family wanted a higher kitchen counter, another needed space reserved for a refrigerator—the community communicated and coordinated each adjustment with the construction team. During the renovation period, residents needed to temporarily relocate. The community actively assisted, whether it was staying with relatives and friends or arranging temporary rental housing for elderly individuals living alone. In just three to four months, the project progressed efficiently.

Before 2026, the first batch of residents whose old homes were renovated welcomed the New Year in their new homes as they had wished. The sight before them was a delightful surprise: rotten wooden beams and tiled roofs were replaced with sturdy, flat new structures; cracked walls became white and solid; brand-new doors and windows were tightly sealed against drafts; independent kitchen and bathroom facilities were fully equipped; all old wiring was replaced; and the troubles of mosquitoes, insects, rats, and ants became a thing of the past. What residents praised even more was that the community also utilized open space to build a bright «sunroom» as a public meeting hall and activity room, providing the elderly with a great place to play chess and chat.

Grinding Wheel Factory dormitory

The Grinding Wheel Factory dormitory is a historic workers’ residential complex, typically built in the mid-20th century to house employees of state-owned industrial factories in China. These utilitarian structures represent the era of planned economy and collectivized living, providing basic communal housing for the working class. Today, many such dormitories are either being demolished, repurposed, or preserved as landmarks of industrial heritage and social history.

Gudian Street

Gudian Street, located in the historic city of Qufu in Shandong Province, China, is a renowned cultural avenue leading directly to the Temple of Confucius. It dates back over a thousand years and was traditionally the path taken by scholars and emperors paying homage to Confucius. Today, it is a well-preserved street lined with Ming and Qing dynasty-style architecture, serving as a vibrant hub for tourists seeking traditional crafts, cuisine, and a connection to Confucian heritage.

Qiaokou District

Qiaokou District is a central urban district within Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, historically known as a major commercial and industrial hub. Its history is closely tied to the Han River, serving as a vital port and transportation center that fueled trade and the early modernization of Wuhan. Today, it remains a key commercial area, blending historical industrial heritage with modern urban development.

Wuhan

Wuhan is the capital of Hubei Province in central China, strategically located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han rivers. Historically, it developed from three ancient towns and became a major treaty port and industrial hub in the late 19th and 20th centuries. It is known for its historical sites like the Yellow Crane Tower, its role as a key transportation center, and as the location where the 1911 Wuchang Uprising began, which led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty.

Junyuan Community

Junyuan Community is a modern residential neighborhood located in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai, China. It was developed in the early 2000s as part of the city’s rapid urban expansion, reflecting the contemporary shift toward high-rise apartment living in China’s major metropolises. While it does not have a long historical legacy, it represents the planned communities built to accommodate Shanghai’s growing population and economic development in the 21st century.

Qiaokou District Housing and Urban Renewal Bureau

The Qiaokou District Housing and Urban Renewal Bureau is a local government administrative body in Wuhan, China. It is responsible for managing public housing, urban planning, and overseeing redevelopment projects within its district, reflecting the city’s ongoing modernization and infrastructure growth since the late 20th century.

sunroom

A sunroom, also known as a solarium or conservatory, is a room in a house with extensive glass walls and ceilings designed to admit abundant sunlight. Historically, they evolved from the orangeries of 17th-century European aristocracy, which were used to protect citrus trees during winter. Today, they serve as versatile living spaces that blend indoor comfort with an outdoor ambiance.

public meeting hall

A public meeting hall is a versatile community space designed for gatherings, events, and civic functions. Historically, such halls have been central to democratic societies, providing a venue for town meetings, political debates, and social assemblies since ancient times. They remain vital as accessible forums for public discourse, cultural activities, and local organization.