For residents of Xiayang, a vibrant community in Qingpu district, Shanghai, daily life reflects the district's commitment to well-rounded development.

A walk through its revitalized neighborhoods, a visit to a local farm, or the ease of accessing municipal services all point to a unified vision: building a community where people can truly thrive.

Located strategically at the nexus of the Hongqiao International Open Hub and the Yangtze River Delta Integrated Ecological and Green Demonstration Zone, Xiayang subdistrict is rapidly transforming into a model of integrated urban-rural development.

A media salon, "Discovering China in Qingpu", held on Sept 17, spotlighted Xiayang's dedication to the “Four Zones” initiative, a strategy designed to promote simultaneous progress across multiple dimensions.

"The key to Xiayang's transformation into a harmonious and happy community lies in our core positioning, which focuses on a modern urban hub in the north balanced with a vibrant rural retreat in the south, fostering a seamless blend of living, working, and recreation, and leveraging the 'Four Zones' as our strategic pillars," emphasized Sun Wei, Party secretary of the Xiayang subdistrict.

The plan focuses on four integrated areas of development, namely the core urban area, the integrated eco-living zone, the rural demonstration zone, and the digital governance model zone.

In the core urban area, efforts are geared towards improving living conditions, securing employment opportunities, and enhancing public services.

"From January to August this year, Xiayang's economic vitality has been remarkable, with total retail sales of consumer goods and total sales of goods growth ranking among the highest in all towns and subdistricts in the district," Sun Wei noted.

This economic boost is matched by improvements to residential complexes and neighborhoods, providing residents with the convenience of 15-minute access to sports, elderly care, and cultural amenities.

Dai Lili, head of the Dongfang Comprehensive Grid Workstation, a local community service station, highlighted how community collaboration is injecting vitality into the district.

"Through the establishment of heartwarming alliances with local businesses, charitable organizations, and other partners, we provide community-based human services and address residents' needs," she said, adding that the collective effort effectively tackles practical concerns such as bike parking and neighborhood sanitation.

Xiayang is endowed with a rich natural landscape, including a forest coverage rate of 30.16 percent, the highest in the Qingpu district.

Sun Wei referred to a national saying during his quote, “'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets', and this guides our construction of the integrated eco-living zone."

Efforts include widespread environmental remediation, the development of the "park-plus-service station" and "green space-plus-fitness" models, and the expansion of ecologically sustainable industries.

As evidence of this focus, the Xiayang subdistrict recently earned the title of "National Civilization Unit".

The subdistrict is not just a haven for green living, but also for the elderly. According to Gao Weihua, head of the Comprehensive Elderly Service Center in Xiayang, “Xiayang’s good eco-environment attracts many elderly people here."

The center offers holistic elderly care services, with updated facilities and smart health screening equipment, allowing seniors to enjoy their golden years in an environmentally-conscious and caring environment.

Xiayang is also demonstrating how rural areas can thrive through the development of specialized industries and the integration of agriculture, tourism, and commerce.

Xu Yueping, Party secretary of Tangyu village, illustrated how land transfers, job creation, and the development of value-added products contribute to shared prosperity.

"Last year, Tangyu village was named a Shanghai Rural Revitalization Demonstration Village," she proudly shared.

Wang Yin, head of the Tailai Fruit and Vegetable Cooperative, explained how it is adopting a multi-faceted approach to stimulate rural revitalization.

The approach includes establishing standardized vegetable gardens, building central kitchens, developing processed vegetable plants, and launching distribution and agricultural research programs.

"We rely on 'order agriculture' and 'unified training' to drive income growth for surrounding farmers, injecting new impetus into rural revitalization," Wang said.

Furthermore, Xiayang is embracing digital technologies to enhance governance and service delivery.

Through the "Digital Xiayang" urban management platform, issues like clogged drains can be addressed within two hours.

Farmers are also using smart agricultural technologies, enabling automated environmental controls and precision irrigation, which streamline operations and support sustainable practices.