Chongqing - Under a big tree that bursts into life, a community park extends over a thousand square meters at Cuiyu Road community in Liangjiang New Area. On the good days, the sun shines through trees, and shadows of the leaves dance with the gentle breeze. Once an open space, the park has become a popular spot in the community and a reflection of its well-operating residential autonomy mechanism.

Huangjueshu (literally Ficus Virens in Chinese) at the Cuiyu Road community park. It is one of the most commonly-seen plants in urban Chongqing and is widely liked by the locals. (Photo/Guo Shuyu)

In 2020, the Cuiyu Road community committee initiated to turn the open space outside the Cuiyun Garden residential complex into a community park. "The complex is home to many aged people, and we thought a park at their doorstep would be a nice place to relax and exercise," said Liu Shirong, secretary of the community committee.

To build a park that satisfies the residents, 54 representatives were invited by the committee to discuss how they wanted the park and decide on the construction plan and facilities to install in the park. After opening in 2021, the park soon became the most popular spot in the community. Many residents gather here to chat, play cards or chess, and use the exercise equipment installed as they require while children run around and play games.

On hot summer days, the tree is a natural shade against the burning sun with its dense leaves and far-stretching branches. "Many residents love to spend time under the tree, so we initiated the Huangjueshu Theater, a weekly activity plan, to make their time in the park more fun," said Liu. The activity plan encourages residents to form groups of singing, dancing, and waist drum and provides facilities for groups to stage their performance every Thursday.

Residents are performing at the Huangjueshu Theater. (Photo/Cuiyu Road Community Committee)

"The plan is ideal and satisfying," said 86-year-old Wang Darong. She is the leader of the singing group and spends a lot of time in the park. "I meet people in the park and always ask if they want to join our group. Apart from performing on stage, we practice every Monday and Wednesday," said Wang.

"I spent the past seven years looking after my late husband and withdrew from social life until he died. Now the park gives me a perfect chance to resume a social life," Wang added.

The essence of the residential autonomy mechanism in the Cuiyu Road community is to encourage residents to participate in community governance and to raise the awareness of self-determination and shared-benefit, according to Liu.

"We used to serve our residents in a way we think they may need, but our efforts sometimes failed to serve the purpose. We ask about residents' needs before taking action; the results are inspiring. By including residents in the decision-making process, we also hope to encourage resident autonomy and make our community a better place to live," Liu elaborated.

The resident representative meeting has become routine when the committee or residents want to initiate a new project. Projects adopted by the conference will be carried out following certain processes. Li Renbing, a representative who participated in the decision-making of the park, said as representatives bridge the community committee and residents, more residents-satisfying decisions can be made. Fewer misunderstandings will occur, making residents feel more at home.

A sense of belonging is what Wang Darong feels about the community. She is re-decorating her flat and expecting a new life in the neighborhood she has lived in for years. "I feel happy here; I will live in the neighborhood for the rest of my life and sing as long as I am physically capable of," she said.

（Original Author: Guo Shuyu from Liangjiang New Area Media Center)