During the recent National Day holiday, Liuzhou, a city in Guangxi Province known for its beloved luosifen (snail noodle soup), experienced a surge in tourist activity as visitors flocked to savor this culinary specialty. City officials were on the frontlines, employing adaptable law enforcement strategies and leveraging a digital platform to efficiently manage urban services.
With attractions like Maan Mountain, Yufeng Park, and Yaobu Ancient Town bustling with tourists, city officials encountered unprecedented challenges. Zhang Xinwei, an inspector with the Yufeng District Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Bureau, commented, “Foot traffic during the holiday doubles compared to a typical day. Our main responsibility is to maintain order around the attractions and assist in managing street vendors to ensure tourists can navigate easily.”
Addressing the issue of unauthorized street vendors, the Liuzhou Urban Management Bureau adopted a flexible enforcement strategy, prioritizing education and guidance over immediate penalties. The aim was to encourage vendors to operate within legal and civil guidelines.
Li Xianzong, deputy director of the Yufeng District Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Bureau and a seasoned expert with over ten years in urban management, pointed out that by consistently applying the “721” method—which aims to resolve 70% of issues through service, 20% through management, and 10% through enforcement—the public has grown more accepting of their approach.
Alongside the frontline officers working throughout the holiday, the Liuzhou Urban Management Bureau utilized its “smart brain”—the Liuzhou Smart City Management Platform. This technology streamlines processes such as inspections, case reporting, and monitoring various urban management challenges, including public appearance, street order, and traffic facilities.
“We address a broad spectrum of urban management issues, from manhole covers to traffic lights, littering, and illegal constructions—about 200 categories in total,” explained Wei Jinjun, the duty supervisor at the Urban Management Information Center. “During holidays, our priority is safety, particularly monitoring for hazards like fallen cables or broken manhole covers, allowing us to respond swiftly to any problems.”
Beyond addressing citizen concerns, this digital city management initiative bolsters the city’s ability to serve its residents. As a pilot city for the nationwide “Urban Management Convenience Living Map APP,” Liuzhou’s smart management features online services that help visitors easily locate temporary parking, luosifen vendors, and accessible public toilets, significantly enhancing their experience.
From October 1 to 5, statistics reveal that Liuzhou’s urban management enforcement department deployed 545 vehicles and over 1,900 personnel, effectively dispersing 1,823 cases of illegal street vending and directing 1,316 vehicles to park legally. “Creating a well-ordered city for tourists not only serves the public interest but also offers us a profound sense of accomplishment,” Li Xianzong remarked.
