In Yangliu town, Xintai city in Tai'an, over 80 percent of the local workforce is employed in the lifting equipment industry. With 1,644 related enterprises gathered here, a complete industry value chain from R&D to logistics has taken shape, attracting many migrant workers back to steady jobs closer to home.

As industries flourish, so do communities. Parks, schools, hospitals, and commercial complexes now populate the landscape. This integrated model of "industry-city-people" has been recognized as a benchmark in provincial urbanization.

Across Tai'an, urbanization centered on people is accelerating. By the end of 2025, the urbanization rate had reached 67.36 percent, with over 16,000 rural residents transitioning to urban life. Employment initiatives have created 250,000 jobs during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–25), while attracting 134,000 young professionals to the city.

Housing conditions are also seeing enhancements. Renovations have updated 1,388 old residential communities and 212,000 new homes, along with 7,000 talent apartments. From smart communities to "15-minute community living circles", residents benefit from better services and greener surroundings — with per capita park space reaching 20.35 square meters.

Industrial growth is driving Tai'an's transformation. Aerospace, energy storage, and cultural tourism are on the rise, with Taishan Mountain welcoming over 90 million visitors annually. Meanwhile, rural industries are advancing through land consolidation and specialized agricultural clusters, closing the urban-rural divide.

With upgraded infrastructure, digital villages, and enhanced public services, Tai'an is weaving together livable spaces, thriving industries, and enriched lives — offering a welcoming, inclusive vision of urban development.