The art of urban renewal

Unlike her usual routine of heading straight home after work, Ivona Jankovic found herself stepping into a studio in Tianjin's Tianmei Art District one evening in March. There, alongside a group of local residents, she joined a workshop led by an experienced artist to explore the fundamentals of traditional Chinese landscape painting.

The class was taught by Wei Yunfei, vice-chairman of the Tianjin Artists Association and professor at the Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts. For Jankovic, a Serbian national with no background in Chinese painting, the art form had always felt unfamiliar and distant.

Wei began by introducing basic brush and ink techniques, then guided participants through composing a classic landscape — distant mountains, flowing rivers, scattered trees and small boats. For the first time, Jankovic held a traditional Chinese brush, carefully adding blossoms to tree branches. As she hesitated, Wei offered a simple instruction: "Paint freely, and trust your instincts."

"I used to think that Chinese painting was only black ink. I did not expect such vibrant colors, like cinnabar red," Jankovic marveled. The lesson lingered beyond the studio. "When I was using chopsticks at dinner, I caught myself thinking of how to handle a brush. It feels like these elements are becoming part of my daily life."

"Cinnabar red is a traditional Chinese color symbolizing dignity, prosperity, and auspiciousness," Wei explained.

The Chinese people were among the earliest in the world to develop a sophisticated understanding of color. They established their own color systems early on, Wei elaborated. Traditional theory links the balance of yin and yang with the Five Elements, paired with five foundational colors — white, green, black, red and yellow — forming the basis of a broader visual system.

"Through exposing participants to representative works of Chinese traditional culture and hands-on painting experiences, they can not only learn the techniques of brush and ink but also develop a genuine interest in Chinese traditional art, thus gaining deeper insight into Chinese culture," Wei said.

The class was held at the Sun Qifeng Art Museum, situated within Tianmei Art District, or the art district of Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, currently one of Tianjin's most vibrant and popular tourist destinations.

"Tianmei Art District acts as an accessible platform for the public, breaking barriers usually associated with academic institutions. People can walk in, take part and experience art directly," Wei said.

The district's design reinforces that openness. Transparent floor-to-ceiling windows reveal ongoing art exhibitions and experimental art classes. Along the streets are clusters of workshops dedicated to intangible cultural heritage crafts and designer boutiques. The area bustles with young locals and international visitors, creating a unique blend of artistic flair and everyday urban life.

Yet, if we rewind the clock three years, the scene here was starkly different. "This area had rows of old factory buildings, rundown residential blocks, and neglected infrastructure. Roads were uneven, facilities outdated, and few young people had any reason to visit," recalled a longtime resident of over 30 years.

The turning point came in 2023, when Hebei district of Tianjin launched an urban renewal project for this area. What set this initiative apart was its core driving force — not traditional commercial development, but an open educational concept.

"Our core idea is integration, which merges the district, scenic areas, campus, and community," said Wang Zhongmou, deputy director of the Research and Graduate Studies Office at the Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts. "The moment you step into Tianmei Art District, in a way, you've already entered Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts."

He explained that the academy removed both physical and psychological barriers. Teaching spaces were embedded throughout the district, including studios on upper floors and transparent classrooms at street level.

"People can see how artists are trained, encouraging interaction and creating a two-way exchange between the institution and the community," he said.

Behind this vision is Tianjin's plan to integrate preservation and utilization as outlined in the Tianjin Historical and Cultural City Protection Plan (2021-35). During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, Tianjin explored urban renewal strategies deeply tied to preservation. From the Quanyechang Market to the Italian Style Town, each project follows a tailored path.

"Our priority is to connect preservation with community development," noted Zhou Changlin, Party secretary and chairman of the Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute. But planning alone is not enough, Tianjin needs viable commercial projects that can ensure a balanced approach between protection and development, he added.

Tianmei Art District stands out as a working example of that balance. Wang noted that it is the city's first renewal project to achieve financial sustainability through cultural and creative industries.

Through coordinated planning, Hebei district revitalized 17,000 square meters of unused buildings and 1.8 hectares of fragmented land parcels. Not only were key municipal issues like fuel and drainage for five surrounding old neighborhoods addressed, but projects like Tianmei Night School brought art education seamlessly into everyday life.

About 4 kilometers south in Heping district, along the banks of the Haihe River, Quanyechang Market is another model of this balance. "We follow three principles: preservation as the foundation, integration as the essence, and vitality as the goal," said Chen Kai, an official of Quanyechang subdistrict in Heping district.

Quanyechang once laid the groundwork for China's first-ever shopping center — predating Southdale Center, the United States' first recognized fully enclosed shopping mall that opened in Minnesota in 1956 — by three decades.

Today, as a century-old building and a recipient of China's national demonstration project for heritage preservation, Quanyechang Mall is undergoing restorative enhancement and is set to reopen by the end of this year.

The restoration process has revived its 1928 atrium and domed ceiling while solving numerous challenges of adapting historical buildings for modern use.

"We are introducing new businesses that cater to young audiences, such as VR and robotics experiences, while integrating them with the planning of both main and side streets," Chen said.

In 2024, the district established itself as the City of Coffee, founding the Coffee Alliance. This year, further development will incorporate the gaming industry, introducing trendy attractions like early 20th century-themed cosplay elements into the urban fabric.

"Tianjin's experience is replicable," Zhou said. "It shows that cultural heritage, when managed thoughtfully, can become a powerful engine for high-quality urban development."

Liu Zhenyi contributed to this story.