BEIJING, 7 June 2025 - In a unique display of modern technology and engineering, an entire residential area in China has been successfully moved to make way for a new subway line underneath. The operation took place in an ancient area of one of China's cities where the authorities decided to preserve the historic buildings without the need for demolition. The buildings were moved using 432 self-propelled robots with special "walking" technology. These robots worked together to carefully move massive buildings weighing more than 7 500 tonnes. The entire process took more than two weeks.
However, it was not a simple matter of moving forward. Due to space constraints, the buildings first had to be moved temporarily to the side to allow for the construction of the underground metro tunnel. Once the work was completed, the structures were returned to their original location - with millimetre precision. The entire procedure was documented in a video that is now circulating the internet. The footage shows the buildings literally "walking" down the street, step by step, with no visible damage. Experts praise not only the technological precision, but also the respect for historical heritage that the project has shown.
This approach could serve as a model for cities around the world that are dealing with the dilemma between upgrading infrastructure and protecting cultural heritage. China is demonstrating its ability to combine tradition with innovation and setting a new bar in urban planning and civil engineering.
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