The Art of Governance: How does China build the future by fixing the past?

Old neighborhoods are more than just collections of aging buildings. They are living records of a city's history, culture and identity. Yet many historic districts around the world are disappearing as redevelopment projects reshape urban landscapes.

In China's southeastern city of Fuzhou, one neighborhood tells a different story. Sanfang Qixiang, or "Three Lanes and Seven Alleys," dates back more than a millennium. Once threatened by demolition, this historic district seemed destined to make way for modern development.

But that never happened.

Instead, local authorities chose preservation over destruction. Through years of restoration work, centuries-old homes, courtyards and stone-paved lanes were brought back to life. Today, Sanfang Qixiang has become one of China's most celebrated examples of urban heritage conservation, showing how the past can be protected while embracing the future.

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