2024 Dialogue with District Party Secretary: How is the Traditional Business District Being Transformed by the Rise of Anime Culture, with Customer Flow Increasing by Over 30%?
The century-old Suzhou Creek ebbs and flows, and the 6.3-kilometer-long waterfront area of Suhewan once served as the incubator for Shanghai’s national industries. How can historical buildings be revitalized to meet the leisure and cultural needs of modern citizens? How can the vitality of core business districts be sustained and consumption potential be stimulated? How is the “anime economy” transforming traditional business districts?
Recently, several organizations including Shanghai Dadiaoyan, The Paper, and Shanghai People’s Radio Station jointly launched the “2024 Dialogue with District Party Secretaries” series of media interviews. On December 3, Yu Yong, the Party Secretary of Jing’an District, was a guest on the program, visiting Suhewan MixC World and Jing’an Joy City to share the transformation story of the Jing’an Suhewan area.
In response to a question from Shanghai Dadiaoyan and The Paper about “how to unleash the consumption potential of the ‘hundred-billion-yuan business district’ of Nanjing West Road,” Yu Yong replied that urban renewal would be used to drive the functional iteration and upgrading of the Nanjing West Road business district, focusing on improving the quality of the main street’s core area and promoting complementary functions in the back streets. At the same time, efforts will be made to accelerate the clustering of high-energy consumption brands and promote more first launches, exhibitions, and shows, continuously stimulating consumption through a high-quality environment.
Today, the vast market potential of the “anime economy” is attracting increasing attention. When asked about his views on the “anime-inspired transformation of traditional business districts,” he further stated that this phenomenon reflects the emergence of new business models that integrate business, tourism, culture, sports, and exhibitions. As the “premier location for super IPs,” Jing’an Joy City has achieved significant growth in both sales and footfall through its unique anime-themed economy. By grasping the trends of Generation Z and new consumption dynamics, and actively hosting popular IP flash mob events of high quality, it will better attract young people and open up new spaces for commercial development.
Waterfront Spaces Are Carefully Crafted, Changing Citizens’ Lifestyles
The century-old Suzhou Creek flows through Suhewan, a place that has witnessed Shanghai’s modernization process. Historical buildings are scattered everywhere, and it was once a concentration of old shantytowns.
In recent years, through sporadic urban renewal efforts, many old buildings in the Suhewan area have undergone exterior renovations and internal structural optimizations, significantly improving residents’ quality of life. The second round of consultation for urban renewal will be initiated soon in Block 65 of Jing’an District, which will effectively help residents achieve their dream of moving into new homes, bid farewell to aging infrastructure, and improve their living conditions.
A number of historical buildings along the Suzhou Creek have also been revitalized through “restoration to their original state” and given new life.
The Fuxin Flour Mill, located on the banks of the Suzhou Creek and once the largest mechanical flour mill in the Far East, will be repurposed as an office space for enterprises, contributing to the development of Suhewan’s headquarters economy. The Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce Building on North Suzhou Road, which witnessed the rise and fall of Shanghai’s national capital, has been renovated and incorporated into the Bellagio Hotel. The west wall of the Sihang Warehouse has been repaired, preserving 430 bullet holes to commemorate the 430 soldiers who died in the Battle of Sihang Warehouse. The Fotografiska Shanghai, formerly the Baikongjian Guangsan Branch built in 1931, has been transformed into an ideal place for citizens to explore artistic ideas and cultural life. Shenyu Lane, one of the best-preserved Shikumen building clusters in Shanghai, has been relocated and rebuilt into a comprehensive business integrating culture, art, commerce, and dining.
The revitalization of Suhewan’s waterfront is quietly shaping a new lifestyle for citizens. To bring people closer to the water and solve the problem of being “by the river but unable to see it,” Jing’an District has moved the flood prevention wall along the Suzhou Creek backward to create a “secondary flood prevention wall,” while the front section close to the water has been developed into a low, water-friendly landscaped platform for citizens to enjoy, bringing them closer to the water. Through the hollowed-out landscape belt, one can clearly see the shimmering waves on the water surface.
Since 2023, Jing’an District has comprehensively launched the creation of a “waterfront demonstration area” with fine management, carefully crafting this waterfront area. A walk along the “popular route” of the Suzhou Creek reveals the meticulous management everywhere. The MixC World mall organically combines green parks with shopping, offering pet-friendly spaces and facilities, creating rich consumption and leisure scenarios. Wireless charging seats equipped with solar panels address the urgent need for charging among citizens and tourists. Multiple drinking water stations are set up to provide a comfortable and worry-free experience for visitors.
The Beizhan Subdistrict, where Suhewan is located, has established the “Suhewan Beizhan Art Alliance” and issued the “Beizhan Art Appreciation Passport” to citizens. With this passport, they can enter art institutions and venues such as the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art and the Wu Changshuo School of Shanghai-Style Art Space for free, allowing more citizens to encounter art close to home.
To make new employment groups feel the warmth of the city, Beizhan Subdistrict has specially opened a Party-mass service center to provide services such as drinking water, charging, and rest for delivery personnel, couriers, ride-sharing drivers, and other new employment groups. During non-delivery hours, delivery riders are often seen resting peacefully in the lounge area. To date, Jing’an District has established 393 such Party-mass service stations, providing transit and rest spaces for riders, delivery personnel, and other emerging employment groups.
The Anime Economy Injects New Vitality into Traditional Business Districts
As the “premier location for super IPs,” Jing’an Joy City has always been a popular destination for anime enthusiasts. Statistics show that Jing’an Joy City hosts nearly 300 events annually, with over 30 international top-tier IP flash mob premieres.
Stepping into Jing’an Joy City, one is immediately greeted by a strong anime atmosphere. The Crayon Shin-chan theme exhibition is currently underway, attracting enthusiasts from across the country. Many cosplayers, with exquisite makeup and costumes, dress up as anime characters such as Tushan Susu and Misa Amane. A few weeks ago, some consumers reported that some young people were occupying the mall’s public restrooms for cosplay makeup and costuming. In response, the management department initiated a “makeup and costuming convention,” allowing young people to apply makeup in designated areas but not for too long, thus balancing the needs and experiences of different groups.
The anime culture has become a new consumption trend among Generation Z, and the “anime economy” has opened up new spaces for the integration of business, tourism, culture, sports, and exhibitions. Since the beginning of this year, Jing’an Joy City has seen significant growth in both sales and footfall. As of now, the mall’s footfall has increased by over 30% compared to 2023, and overall sales have increased by nearly 45% compared to 2023.
Behind the “anime-inspired transformation of traditional malls” lies the secret to stimulating consumption potential in business districts through emerging business models. How to grasp emerging consumption trends and rejuvenate traditional business districts with new appeal? This requires an understanding of emerging business models and an open mindset.
Building the “Hundred-Billion-Yuan Business District” of Nanjing West Road
In recent years, the Nanjing West Road business district in Jing’an District has maintained continuous growth and is striving to become the first “hundred-billion-yuan business district” in Shanghai and even nationwide by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan.
To further unleash consumption potential, the Nanjing West Road business district plans to rely on urban renewal to promote functional upgrades, enhance the spatial and environmental quality of the business district, and continuously create diverse consumption scenarios. Efforts will be made to innovate and enrich consumption offerings, such as deeply integrating business districts, commercial streets, and malls, and converting the footfall from events like the Shanghai International Sports Trend Culture Festival and the Jing’an International Light Festival into increased consumption. At the same time, more high-quality brands will be attracted to settle in Jing’an, and the “first launch-first store-first enterprise” chain will be established. Additionally, the focus will be on consumer experience, emphasizing the development of experiential commercial formats, and vigorously promoting the backstreet economy to accelerate the construction of Nanjing West Road’s unique commercial street.
