Shanghai, China’s glittering metropolis, is closing a chapter on a surprisingly intimate urban challenge: the chamber pot era. By September 2025, the city completed its decades-long mission to replace these "hand-carried toilets" in 14,082 households, marking a milestone in its urban renewal journey. 🏙️
Residents like Zhang Cuiying, who relied on chamber pots for 38 years, recall pre-dawn treks to public facilities: "Our hands went numb in winter, the smell was awful in summer." Now, rebuilt neighborhoods like Pengpu New Village boast private bathrooms, community centers, and modern amenities—transforming cramped alleyways into vibrant living spaces. 🏡
Precision Renovations & Community Triumphs
Local leaders like Zhou Xing’an became "renovation surgeons," fighting for every centimeter to fit toilets into tiny apartments. For 84-year-old Ms. Yan, a shared storage room became a family bathroom after creative redesigns. "It’s like performing surgery in a shoebox," Zhou said.
National Momentum for Modern Living
Shanghai’s success mirrors China’s broader urban renewal drive. Since 2021, over 240,000 old neighborhoods nationwide have been upgraded, adding elevators, parking spaces, and care facilities. As the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) approaches, the focus remains on "people-centered cities"—proving that even the smallest upgrades can reshape lives. 🌆
