Xianning

has developed a model of urban transformation that begins with the vision of a child-friendly city and is now evolving into resilient, all-ages-friendly neighborhoods. The pilot project around Nanmen Primary School significantly improved child traffic safety through safe school routes, reuse of public spaces and materials, citizen engagement and cross-departmental coordination. 

The impact has been remarkable: 95% of students now walk to school and traffic accidents around the school have dropped by 98%. This model has since been replicated in more than 20 schools and kindergartens in Xianning and in 15 cities across the province. In the face of growing urban and climate challenges, Xianning is now expanding this approach to include flood-prone neighborhoods using nature-based solutions, early warning technologies and co-designed home and public space upgrades. This project exemplifies a low-cost, replicable institutional innovation with strong social and environmental impact, creating safer and more inclusive environments for children — and increasingly, for all city residents.