A Shenzhen resident has quietly become an online sensation — and an unexpected force for urban improvement — after spending the past two years walking the city’s streets with a measuring tape, documenting road defects, and sharing them on social media.
Since 2023, the man, now dubbed by netizens as the “Measuring Tape Guy,” has recorded nearly 1,000 infrastructure issues, from uneven pavements to misaligned manhole covers. Each time he posts a video, city workers reportedly step in almost immediately to repair the problem.
Local officials say Shenzhen has been testing a new “preemptive problem-solving” system, which involves monitoring online posts to identify and fix issues before they escalate. The model aims to increase efficiency and strengthen communication between residents and authorities.
Online, the citizen’s persistence — paired with the government’s swift action — has sparked widespread praise. Many users are calling it a prime example of “Shenzhen Speed,” celebrating the collaboration between an ordinary resident and a fast-responding city administration.
The unlikely partnership has now become a symbol of how digital platforms and civic engagement can work together to make a city run smoother.
