Revitalizing Cities: The 5R Framework Approach to Urban Retrofitting and Big Data Insights

Xinlin Ma, Yan Song, Fangzheng Lyu, Yang Yang, Yuhua Wang, Xijing Li and Shaopeng Zhong

Growth and Change, 2025, vol. 56, issue 1

Abstract: Urban retrofitting is a fundamental approach for achieving sustainable and resilient urban development in the face of contemporary challenges. The increasing prevalence of urban big data presents an opportunity to establish a robust analytical framework for urban retrofitting, enabling more effective comparative studies and informed decision‐making. This paper introduces a comprehensive 5R framework—Re‐inhabitation, Re‐building, Re‐transportation, Re‐capitalization, and Re‐greening—to provide a multidimensional perspective on urban retrofitting. The 5R framework facilitates a holistic understanding of urban transformation processes and establishes standardized metrics for analyzing urban retrofitting initiatives using diverse urban big data sources. To demonstrate the adaptability and effectiveness of the 5R framework in a real‐world context, we conduct a case study of Charlotte, North Carolina. By applying innovative methods for the integration and analysis of extensive datasets, our study offers new insights into the evaluation of urban retrofitting efforts, such as transportation accessibility, micro‐scale building improvements, investment patterns, green space enhancements, and overall livability. This approach addresses existing research gaps by providing a structured set of indicators that assess each dimension of urban transformation comprehensively. Beyond academic advancements, the 5R framework offers practical tools for policymakers and urban planners to evaluate retrofitting interventions, quantify their outcomes, and understand the dynamics of evolving urban spaces. The insights gained through our research highlight the importance of using big data to enhance the scope and impact of urban development strategies, ultimately bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and real‐world urban retrofitting applications. Our findings demonstrate the potential of the 5R framework to serve as a guiding model for more sustainable, data‐driven urban growth and revitalization.

Date: 2025
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