With efforts being made to improve transportation infrastructure, public spaces, businesses, housing and civic facilities, the city is aiming at elevating the living quality of its people in a protective and sustainable way.

"We will continue to build a livable and lovable city with an improved environment for living, working and visiting," Party Chief Lu Zhiyuan said. "To make the old historic downtown areas pulsate with energy again, we will endeavor to retain the essence of our city's culture, empowering heritage with new commercial vitality for a better life for residents and a better experience for visitors."

As of the end of April, 72 projects to preserve and renovate historic blocks in the Dabaodao area near Zhongshan Road in the city's Shibei district have begun, with an investment of 4 billion yuan ($592 million).