The power of transformation: 9 stories of urban metamorphosis (13 photos)

Sometimes it seems that old walls, wastelands and concrete canals are doomed to eternal desolation.





But these examples prove the opposite. Thanks to competent planning, public initiatives and love for the city, the streets get a second life - bright, green and lively and find their second "I".

1. Urban metamorphosis



A former pier first became a parking lot, then a park with an underground garage. Antwerp, Belgium.

2. From oblivion to revival





The former abandoned Bokor Palace Hotel in Cambodia has been completely restored. Comparison of the past and present.

3. New life for an old house



Restoration of residential buildings in Kaliningrad.

4. Time for Change



An example from Rio de Janeiro: the expressway was dismantled... and moved underground. The city became quieter, safer and more beautiful.

5. Hell Becomes Heaven



We are talking about Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park in Singapore, where a concrete drainage channel was transformed into a natural, meandering river flowing through the green heart of the city. This is not just a renovation. This approach helped to solve the problem of seasonal flooding using natural methods of absorbing and diverting rainwater.

6. Boston: Before and After



In 2003, Boston underwent one of the largest transportation transformations in its history — the famous Big Dig program. What was before: the elevated I-93 highway cut the city into pieces, enveloping it in noise and smog. What happened after: the highway went underground, and in its place there were parks, squares, and new urban spaces.

This was not just road repairs, but the rebirth of an entire city.

7. Incredible Transformation



The Liangma River in Beijing has become a shining example of how an urban "hole" can find a second life.

Back in the late 90s, it was a dry, cracked canal, lost somewhere between old buildings and narrow streets. But by 2025, it had become an oasis and a living artery of the city.

8. Canal in Dhaka



The Ramchandra Canal in the Mohammadpur area of ​​Dhaka has become one of the sites of a large-scale urban initiative to clean and revive the sewerage channels of Bangladesh.

With the support of the bank and local authorities, the canal was cleared of garbage, undergrowth and sewage in just 72 hours. This is part of a larger program to restore the country's waterways and improve the quality of life in cities.

9. From Urban Jungle to Green Oasis



Cities don't have to be grey, noisy and suffocated by concrete. Sometimes it's enough to look at the street differently, and even the gloomiest place turns into an oasis of peace and nature.

This was the case with the Singel Canal in Utrecht (Netherlands). What used to be was a gloomy bank filled with cars. What has become now is a lively embankment, trees, walks, bike paths and peace of mind in the middle of the city.