In recent years, the Xiangfu Bridge Historic District Renewal has been one of Hangzhou's most remarkable urban revitalization projects. It embodies the rich heritage of the Song Dynasty's canal culture, epitomized by the nearly 800-year-old Xiangfu Bridge, a national-level cultural relic. In modern history, the Xiangfu Bridge District has emerged as an industrial district connecting the city to the suburbs, where residents embrace a vibrant waterfront lifestyle. Existing structures line the Wulitang River in the downtown area, while the old streets and alleys exude a bustling sense of life. However, the sustainable development potential of this congested neighborhood is limited.

Thus, the design scheme aims to revitalize the region while preserving its distinct local "marketplace" character by enabling a fusion of historical memories and modern lifestyles to provide high-quality public spaces for the surrounding cities and to attract new life to the old streets.

It introduces the concept of integration in "spaces," "businesses," and "histories,” emphasizing the neighborhood's flexible and interconnected spatial layout and the constant presence of commercial and cultural activities. By conducting a typological analysis of the traditional "marketplaces,” the various dimensions of "courts," "yards," "streets," "alleys," "terraces," and "gardens" are organized as distinctive spaces within the neighborhood that serve as a collection of traditional memories. The master plan leverages the Wulitang River to establish a dynamic waterfront area extending into the cultural and historic streets on the north and south riverbanks. Two newly constructed pedestrian bridges, strategically positioned over 70 meters from the Xiangfu Bridge, facilitate connectivity between the riverbanks while preserving the Xiangfu Bridge's scenic view. In response to the community's functional needs, a new school and senior community are incorporated with open-ground pathways that integrate seamlessly with the neighborhood to promote resource sharing.

The renewal of Xiangfu Bridge Historic District was conducted using the EPC general contract model. This approach represents a significant endeavor in large-scale urban renewal projects where the design firm assumes the project management role.