The Pengyi residential compound in Shanghai's Jing'an district has held a Spring Festival reunion carnival after residents returned to their newly-renovated homes.

After what was the largest in-situ old neighborhood renovation in the city's central area, 2,110 households are enjoying their first New Year in modernized buildings.

The celebration featured a variety of activities, including dumpling-making, a communal feast, intangible cultural heritage experiences, and family portrait sessions. Volunteers also delivered warm dumplings to the elderly and those living alone, fostering a sense of community warmth and neighborly camaraderie.

Built in 1955, Pengyi has a rich history as a workers' neighborhood. However, the old buildings posed a significant challenge to renovators. Over the past 20 years, Pengpu Xincun subdistrict led this large-scale renovation, culminating in the return of all residents by July 2025. The project renovated 102 buildings, benefiting 4,907 households, and eliminated large-scale non-self-contained structures.

The renovation improved living conditions, increasing building area by an average of 20 square meters per household. The neighborhood now features modern amenities like an underground parking lot and a nursing home, along with a 30,000-square-meter service area for a 15-minute community living circle. Historical relics, such as a bunker, have been preserved, and time-themed venues honor the community's legacy.