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Chongqing Public Space Plan

Revitalizing Chongqing towards people-centric urban design

Sector

Civic & Public

Region

Asia Pacific

Timespan

2014

Credit: Gehl

In 2013, Gehl, in collaboration with China Sustainable Transportation Centre, was commissioned by Yuzhong District to develop a long-term plan for the public spaces of the Jiefangbei area in central Chongqing. The challenge was clear: transform an urban environment to enhance the quality of life for its residents and visitors.

Minquan Road faces significant pedestrian challenges, including blocked sidewalks, poor walkway connections, chaotic crossings, and isolated green spaces trapped by traffic. The street lacks integration with the surrounding urban fabric, creating a disconnected and low-quality environment. Credit: Gehl
Gehl’s vision for Minquan Road includes enhancing greenery along its length and transforming the roundabout into a vibrant public space and transit hub. Credit: Gehl

Streets with character

Building on the insights from Gehl’s 2010 Public Space Public Life Survey, it became evident that the fragmented and underutilized areas of Jiefangbei needed a coherent, high-quality network of public spaces. 

Gehl’s vision for the Public Space Plan focused on creating a network of attractive, accessible routes that connected major destinations across the city. The plan, presented in autumn 2013, was novel for China, as the team at Gehl categorized city streets not by traffic volume but by their character, role in non-motorized mobility, and quality of spaces for staying. Gehl then activated several pilots to demonstrate how public life can flourish when investing in public spaces. The first project, Wuming Alley, completed in 2015, transformed back alleys in the Jiefangbei neighborhood into smaller-scale, inviting spaces for social interaction. 

Over a three-year period, Chongqing aims to implement similar pilots across all categories of spaces — setting a new benchmark for public space design in China. Gehl’s involvement has been instrumental in shifting the focus towards people-centric urban design in China.

The vision focuses on leveraging existing pedestrian infrastructure, addressing gaps, and promoting continuity to enhance connections throughout the urban fabric. The plan emphasizes creating a dynamic urban heart with diverse uses, fostering an environment that supports both public life and mobility for the region's 30 million residents. Credit: Gehl
Public transportation is prioritized in an effort to reduce car dependence in commuting around the city. Credit: Vivid Vision

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Local residents visit the temporary installations and taste the edible plants in the gardens, whilst they wait for their sustainable, healthy snack from the visiting food truck. Credit: Gehl

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Credit: Gehl

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