In Guoshun Road 310 Lane, there lives a beloved figure known as Grandpa Flower Grower—Grandpa Zhu. His passion for flowers isn't just about nurturing each plant with care; it's about sharing their beauty with others. Every late summer and early autumn, when his night-blooming cereus flowers burst into bloom, he brings them out for free public viewing, drawing crowds of visitors. However, a harsh winter in late 2023 devastated his 20-year collection, leaving only one survivor. A dream took root in Grandpa Zhu's heart: To build a greenhouse, protect this lone seedling, and let the cereus bloom safely through the winter—so more residents can share this joy.

Meanwhile, a cluttered community space was cleared during the neighborhood committee's Clean Home initiative, ready for revitalization. Li Qing, a Wujiaochang community planner,Professor from CAUP, Tongji university, teamed up with the Siping neighborhood committee to transform Grandpa Zhu's personal dream into a shared community vision: the Dream Courtyard. Notably, international exchange students from Tongji University's College of Architecture and Urban Planning—Chadine (Morocco), Dual degree students: Sterna Dominika and Kreiner Jacqueline Marie (Austria), Pawel Wolczamski (Sweden), Marcus Andreas (Luxembourg), and Jia (Spain)—joined Chinese peers in this cross-cultural collaboration.

July–September 2024

Professor Li Qing's team from Tongji's College of Architecture and Urban Planning led workshops with Chinese and international students, conducting needs assessments and designing blueprints. Students brainstormed creatively, refining plans through iterations. They even pitched in to clear debris from the Dream Courtyard site, laying groundwork for construction.

September–October 2024

Undergraduates from Tongji's Introduction to Housing Policy course and graduate volunteers from the Urban Housing Policy program continued efforts, building the greenhouse and completing the first phase of the Blossoms Along the Path mural, adding vibrant color to the community.

October 2024

City Design and Historic Preservation students from the Class of 2023 and volunteers refined the mural during on-site workshops. Participants praised the project's human touch, with international students noting the warmth of collaborating with residents to reshape public spaces—It feels like home.

November 2024

The mural project culminated as international and Chinese students painted a dynamic floral path connecting Grandpa Zhu's home to the neighborhood entrance, blending traditional Chinese motifs with abstract geometry. Coinciding with the Winter Solstice, students and residents bonded over cultural exchanges, fostering cross-border neighborly connections.

As construction neared completion, Grandpa Zhu's story, the micro-renewal success, and youth-led co-creation drew media coverage from outlets like Beautiful Wujiaochang and Shanghai Yangpu.

January 2025

The Dream Courtyard debuted, fulfilling Grandpa Zhu's vision and revitalizing the community. In early 2025, CCTV News featured Professor Li Qing's team, with international students sharing their experiences. Grandpa Zhu even appeared on the 2025 CCTV Spring Festival Gala and Lantern Festival Special, showcasing the community's warmth and youth power.

Goals: Youth Empowerment Meets Global Vision

Youth-Driven Community Renewal

Tongji students applied academic knowledge to practice, gaining social experience and empathy through resident interactions. Their creativity and responsibility highlighted youth's role in community betterment.

Community Co-Creation Sparks Vibrancy

Beyond beautification, students strengthened neighborly bonds through workshops and activities, fostering cohesion and sustainable development.

Mutual Growth of Youth and Community

Participation wasn't one-sided—students grew socially conscious while empowering the community to self-renew.

Sustainable Community and Cultural Unity

Youth infused sustainability into community planning. The Dream Courtyard isn't just a beauty spot—it's a cultural landmark where past and future converge.

Outcome: A Courtyard of Dreams, A Path of Blossoms

The Dream Courtyard in Guoshun Road 310 Lane shines as a community treasure. The greenhouse shelters Grandpa Zhu's cereus, while the mural-lined path captivates residents. It's not just a sanctuary for flowers—it's a global symbol of community and creativity.

Edited by: Cui Bowen, CAUP International Cooperation Office
Proofread by: Li Qing