Shekou Car-Free Day seeks resilient neighborhood

The usual roar of engines on Gongyuan Road in Shekou gave way to silence over the weekend as local residents reclaimed the street for the 10th annual Shekou Community Car-Free Day on Nov. 29.

Residents pose with eco-themed placards promoting green transport and sustainable living at the 10th Shekou Community Car-Free Day on Nov. 29. Photos courtesy of event organizer

Launched a decade ago as a neighborhood initiative, attendance exceeded expectations this year. The event featured an art parade, street interactions, charity performances, and in-depth discussions focusing on community resilience.

“I’m 10 years old this year, and this is also my 10th Car-Free Day,” said Huahua, one of the four hosts of the event, at the opening ceremony. Her remark underscores how deeply the event has become integrated into local life.

Event hosts open the 10th Shekou Community Car-Free Day with welcoming remarks Nov. 29.

This year, organizers expanded the event’s usual theme of “people friendly, green, and low-carbon living” to emphasize community resilience. Architects, firefighters, and urban planners were invited to join discussions on practical steps residents can take to protect densely populated neighborhoods like Shekou.

Neighborhood groups, institutions, and local businesses expressed their visions of resilience through installations and activities along the closed road.

“Flooding Shekou” — a layered blue-cloth installation by MAL Mujia Architecture that addressed rising sea levels — caught the attention of many participants. One side of the installation showed Shekou's landmarks submerged, and the other presented warm scenes of neighborhood shops and alleys, turning the abstract threat of climate change into a tangible, emotional experience.

During the event, residents took part in the creation of a woven artwork made from fishing nets and marine debris collected during a community-led beach cleanup, responding directly to calls for ocean protection.

Children lead the Cat Car and Friends parade down Gongyuan Road during Shekou Community Car-Free Day, transforming the street into a playful zone filled with creativity and joy.

Another highlight was the “Cat Car” pop-up shop from the Luhu community in Chengdu, southwestern China's Sichuan Province, which transformed Gongyuan Road into a child-friendly environment with child-focused street maps and creative charity platforms.

Longtime residents described the day as more than a car-free experiment. “Every year I bring my child to Gongyuan Road — not for the excitement but to teach them that the community is a home we must protect together,” one elderly participant said.

Organizers also led the crowd in a minute of silence for the victims of the recent Tai Po fire in Hong Kong. Guidance on how to make donations to the Tai Po Hongfu Court Relief Fund was also provided, ensuring that contributions are channeled through official channels. 

A moment of silence is held in remembrance of the victims of the Tai Po fire during the event.