(CFP file photo)

Block 32 in Suzhou's Gusu District has been renovated with resident input, reflecting the city's commitment to heritage preservation and urban renewal.

With a total construction area of 247,700 square meters, the neighborhood comprises 22 scattered apartment buildings and about 300 traditional residential courtyards, rich in historical and cultural value.

During the renovation, residents were encouraged to make suggestions. One popular request was to replant cherry blossom trees, a shared childhood memory. The project also added a 30-square-metre shared space to foster resident connection and interaction.

Furthermore, Suzhou's preservation efforts have gradually expanded from protecting individual heritage sites such as classical gardens and historic houses to restoring entire neighborhoods.