The concept of "poetry and distance" represents a yearning many aspire to; yet in our district, this idyllic lifestyle is not a distant dream but a reality unfolding right at our doorstep. Community planners meticulously sculpt and transform, cultivating a new "private land" within an old neighborhood. This area is not only a shared space where residents exchange and enjoy gardening but also a platform that preserves community memories and fosters the integration and development of the community. Stories passed down among mothers plant the seeds of a beautiful life in the hearts of more and more children. Below our office buildings, football fields and various sports and leisure facilities are strategically placed within parks, available for booking at a simple touch.

What kind of 'poetry and distance' does 15 minutes in our People's City unveil? Community planners carve out meticulously, bringing life to a new 'private land' in an old neighborhood.

Located at No. 3061 Yangshupu Road, built in the 1930s, this place is home for resident Chen Jialin, where he was born and raised. In front of the community's neighborly center, the old concrete has been replaced with vintage checkered tiles, and orderly arranged potted plants on wrought iron racks create a fragrant corner—this is the new look of the community in the eyes of Chen Jialin and his fellow elderly neighbors this spring. If buildings could age, the old-style garden houses of Yangshupu Road No. 3061 would be in their twilight years. Recently, a new project by community planners from Dinghai Road has rejuvenated this 'old man,' giving it a youthful appearance.

"The redesign of drainage ditches and corner greening, among other elements, not only retains rainwater for the gardens but also facilitates drainage," explains Xiong Yu, a member of Professor Dai Dixin's studio from the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University, as he introduces the newly established 'citizen gardening center' at Yangshupu Road No. 3061. Xiong Yu mentions that the community planners' team aims to infuse the entire community with the principles of waste-free and sustainable development through these small yet significant enhancements.

Creating a livable community always revolves around the needs of the residents, with participation being key. This gardening center, from planning and design to implementation and project completion, integrates the desires and thoughts of the community residents.

We notice a significant amount of 'blank space' in the 'healing corridor' and 'healing vegetable garden' areas, occupied only by wrought iron climbing frames and small wooden stakes. "These 'blanks' are left for the residents to fill. Beyond planting flora, activities such as educational talks, small markets, and exchanges of loving gifts can take place, allowing residents to fully exercise their creativity and explore the potential of these blanks, which is indeed a topic of social innovation," says Xiao Yijie, a member of Professor Dai's studio.

According to Chen Jialin, this place was once an overlooked corner of the community, "just a nondescript little spot, but making use of it has made all the difference." The difference lies not only in a completely rejuvenated appearance but also in a revitalized core. The 'citizen gardening center' serves not just as a place for residents to share and engage in gardening but also as a platform for carrying community memories and fostering the development and integration of the community.

The Second Cotton Community's Party Branch Secretary, Qian Fang, openly admitted, "In fact, before the Horticultural Center commenced construction, some residents were skeptical. They hardly grasped why such considerable effort was being expended to rehabilitate this so-called 'scrap land.' Now, seeing is believing—grapes planted by residents have begun to sprout leaves, under which spinach and other leafy vegetables flourish. The transformation has taken many by surprise, remarking how the passage now offers a comforting ambiance."

Transforming the old into the new is a gradual process of improvement, during which residents' sense of achievement and happiness continually rise. "After adding some graffiti, embellishing it with a few flowers and plants makes it even more pleasing to the eye. It takes a year to learn how to plant flowers and three to master watering—a cultivation craft in its own right. Initially, a team from Tongji University even came to offer classes, enriching our knowledge considerably," mentioned Chen Jialin.

Spring plowing and autumn harvesting in our district enhance the scenery within the "15-minute Community Living Circle," making it progressively more appealing. Increasingly, residents reap the joy of abundant harvests in their own 'backyards.'

"Mother's Stories" Are Passed down Orally, Planting the Seeds of a Beautiful Life in More and More Children

Not long ago, Qiu Ling, a "gold-collar" worker in the finance sector and a mother of two, debuted in her "new role" as the leader of the "Super Mom Squad" at the Changhai Road community. While reading picture books to children and planning activities, she realized, "Community self-governance nurtures both sides. I bring joy to community families, and my children, in turn, receive a boost in growth, becoming more integrated and outgoing."

Similar to Qiu Ling's experiences, Zhai Yi, chairperson of the Haiya Family Education Service Center, also rooted in finance, threw herself into the public welfare sector with great enthusiasm. "Unintentionally planting willows, the willows grow into shade," she unearthed a group of "public welfare moms," among whom "Story Moms" have become a brand name, making strides across the district and blooming city-wide.

Zhai Yi recalls, "Years ago, chatting with neighbors, I discovered a common issue—the gap between children finishing school and parents arriving home from work was challenging for the kids." With a proactive approach, she suggested gathering the children at the community neighborhood center, having teachers conduct activities, with costs shared among families. Regarding safety, parents volunteered to supervise, enriching the children's post-school hours by two each day.

In 2017, Zhai Yi and a few community moms established an autonomous club, conducting activities such as detailed sessions on English story picture books. The club, warmly received by community families, saw participation numbers swell from a few to dozens, with an ever-growing cadre of parent volunteers.

As the club's popularity soared, questions about formal management arose. Consequently, Zhai Yi decided to establish a social organization to contribute to community welfare. Under the joint care and support of the district Civil Affairs Bureau and the Women's Federation, the nascent Haiya came into being. During its charitable activities, Zhai Yi learned that social organizations could undertake public welfare projects. Thus, the "Public Welfare Moms Alliance" project, fostered by the Women's Federation, originated.

In the "Public Welfare Moms Alliance," the "Story Moms" have emerged as the flagship team, initiated by Haiya and formed in 2019, now boasting over 60 members from various professions.

In 2023, supported by Yangpu District's public welfare entrepreneurship competition and the Yanji New Village Sub-district, Haiya's "Little Green Practitioners" project revitalized "coffee grounds," encouraging parent-child families to engage in green practices.

Children collected coffee grounds from local cafes, dried them at home, and made colorful sachets to hang in the community neighborhood center for moisture absorption and odor removal. On weekends, Haiya also organized activities such as "coffee grounds" sand painting and book exchanges, encouraging children to lead their families in adopting and promoting a green lifestyle. "Child-friendly initiatives are not just about enhancing infrastructure and services but also about igniting children's enthusiasm for participating in community governance," stated Zhai Yi.

The footprint of "Story Moms" extends beyond our district, offering volunteer services to multiple communities across the city. Their activities go beyond narrating picture books; they intertwine storytelling with civic practices, spreading ideals of civilized pet ownership and carbon reduction to children.

Zhai Yi expressed, "In 2024, we hope more children will participate in community public welfare services. The seeds of 'sharing, co-creating, and co-building a beautiful life' are taking root in more children's hearts, propelling the dual advance of green living and child-friendly concepts."

"Right Below the Office Building Is a Soccer Field," Various Sports and Leisure Facilities Are Strategically Placed Throughout the Park, "Just a Tap Away" For Reservations

Yangpu Park of Connected Land's white-collar worker, Fang Yi, a soccer enthusiast, favors the 5-a-side soccer field converted from a sunken plaza lawn. "Previously, I played soccer less frequently, about once every two weeks, but now that there's a soccer field right below our office building, we play almost weekly," Fang Yi noted.

This year, Yangpu Park of Connected Land has introduced a new sports field reservation service. By opening the park's mini-program, users can instantly make reservations, with the first-time registration offering a complimentary booking.

Jiang Xiajun, head of Yangpu Park of Connected Land (Commercial), detailed that besides the soccer field, the park now features an outdoor basketball court, a table tennis pavilion open to the public for free, and other recreational facilities including a badminton court, table tennis courts, a gym, and an escape room, all cleverly distributed throughout the park.

Shaoyun, a former university women's soccer team player, continues her playing habit. "This sport allows me to relax and relieve stress amidst my busy schedule, enabling me to re-engage more effectively in my work," she shared.

Reportedly, this year, Yangpu Park of Connected Land also plans to introduce a fresh produce market, a live house, art exhibitions, and more to cater to citizens' dining and entertainment needs. Additionally, it will utilize the existing sports facilities to host various sporting events, inviting employees and citizens who love sports to participate for free.