Stories of High-Quality Development｜Harnessing mobility as a partner in urban governance

Narrator: Zhang Jianci, Director, Society Work Department, Communist Party of China Xuhui District Committee, Shanghai

Last July, Chen Zhifan, a delivery rider picking up orders at a breakfast shop, saw a child with a bleeding head injury who urgently needed to be taken to the hospital. The child's mother was struggling to flag down a car. He unloaded his delivery box, entrusted it to the shop owner and took the mother and child on his scooter, reaching the nearby hospital in just three minutes — saving crucial time for treatment.

In Xuhui district, there are more than 8,000 food delivery riders, couriers and ride-hailing drivers like Chen. They navigate the streets and alleys every day, familiar with every alley and building, and are often the first to witness emergencies. How best to integrate this workforce into urban governance is a question we are always thinking about.

The workers of new forms of employment move fast and change jobs often, making it difficult for traditional approaches to truly resonate with them. Therefore, we adopted a three-pronged strategy: "Strengthening the foundation through Party-building guidance, enhancing vitality through service empowerment and promoting integration through two-way collaboration," creating both a warm haven and a platform for action for these hardworking individuals.

We have strengthened Party-building efforts among workers in new forms of employment, establishing Party organizations at courier stations and delivery platforms. In this way, mobile Party members no longer have to travel far to participate in organizational activities. Today, an increasing number of riders proudly identify themselves as Party members and take on responsibilities, becoming the pillars uniting their colleagues and continuously strengthening the Party's appeal, cohesion and influence in emerging sectors.

To address the challenges faced by this group — such as difficulty finding food, water, restrooms and a place to rest — we have set up "Drivers' Home" and "Rider Energy Stations." With a simple tap on the "Citywide Friendly Service Map" mini-program, they can easily locate nearby rest stops. At these facilities, they can dry their clothes promptly on rainy days and use microwaves to heat up meals, ensuring that while they are on the move with peace of mind, they can also take a break in the city with a sense of security.

With these concerns resolved, many couriers and ride-hailing drivers have proactively participated in social governance. Leveraging their mobility and knowledge of the city, they have become the city's eyes on the ground, using their phones to report issues like damaged manhole covers or facility malfunctions. They have also stepped up as "community partners," serving as emergency contacts for older residents living alone. A total of 450 riders have joined our "Rider Emergency Rescue Capability Enhancement Program," earning first-aid certifications and forming volunteer first-response teams. These teams are affectionately known as the "emergency heroes." Chen is one of them, and his story has inspired many more riders to participate in training and help others.

The people's city is built by the people and serves the people. In Xuhui, this two-way collaboration has transformed the workforce in new forms of employment from city service providers into governance partners. This mobile workforce has gained a sense of belonging while injecting a steady stream of new momentum into the modernization of urban governance.