2024 Interview with District Party Secretary: How is the traditional business district being transformed by the anime culture with a customer flow increase of over 30%?
The century-old Suzhou Creek ebbs and flows, and the 6.3-kilometer-long Suhe Bay waterfront area 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 Da Diao Yan, 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 Suhe Bay MixC World and Jing’an Joy City to share the transformation story of the Jing’an Suhe Bay area.
In response to a question from Shanghai Da Diao Yan and The Paper on “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 the complementary linkage of backstreet functions. 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 new business model of integrated tourism, business, culture, sports, and exhibition linkage. As the “premier location for super IPs,” Jing’an Joy City has achieved significant growth in both sales and customer flow through its unique anime economy. By grasping the trends of Generation Z and new consumption dynamics, and actively hosting popular IP flash mob events of both high quality and popularity, it will better attract young people and open up new spaces for commercial development.
Waterfront Spaces Are Meticulously Crafted, Changing Citizens’ Lifestyles
The century-old Suzhou Creek, with Suhe Bay as its highlight. This place nurtured the modernization process of Shanghai, dotted with historical buildings, and was once a concentration of old shantytowns.
In recent years, through sporadic urban renewal efforts, many old buildings in the Suhe Bay area have undergone facade renovations and internal structural optimizations, significantly improving residents’ quality of life. The 65th neighborhood in Jing’an District will soon initiate the second round of consultation on urban renewal, effectively helping residents achieve their dream of new homes, bid farewell to aging infrastructure, and improve their living conditions.
The 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 mechanized flour mill in the Far East, will be repurposed as an office space for enterprises, contributing to the development of Suhe Bay’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 reused as part of the Bellagio Hotel. The west wall of the Sihang Warehouse has been repaired, preserving 430 bullet holes to commemorate the 430 heroes who sacrificed their lives during the Sihang Warehouse Defense Battle. The Fotografiska Shanghai, formerly the Bai Kong Jian Guang San Fen Ku built in 1931, has been transformed into an ideal place for citizens to explore artistic concepts and cultural life. One of the most well-preserved Shikumen building complexes in Shanghai, Shenyu Lane, has been relocated and rebuilt into a comprehensive business integrating culture, art, commerce, and dining.
The revitalization of Suhe Bay’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, designing it as a “secondary flood prevention wall,” while the front section close to the water has been developed into a low, water-friendly landscape 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 meticulous management, carefully crafting this waterfront region. Walking along the “popular route” by the Suzhou Creek, one can see the meticulous management in every aspect. The MixC World mall organically combines green parks with shopping, offering pet-friendly spaces and facilities, creating diverse 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 Street, where Suhe Bay is located, has established the “Suhe Beizhan Art Alliance” and issued the “Beizhan Art Viewing 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 right at their doorstep.
To make new employment groups feel the warmth of the city, Beizhan Street has specifically 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.
Anime Inspires New Vitality in 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.
Walking 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 all over the country. Many cosplayers, with elaborate makeup and costumes, dress up as anime characters such as Tushan Susu and Mihaisa. A few weeks ago, some consumers reported that some young people were occupying the mall’s public restrooms for cosplay makeup. In response, the management department initiated a “makeup convention,” allowing young people to apply makeup in designated areas but not for too long, thus balancing the needs and experiences of different groups.
Anime has become a new consumption trend among Generation Z, and the “anime economy” has opened up new spaces for the integrated linkage of tourism, business, culture, sports, and exhibitions. Since the beginning of this year, Jing’an Joy City has seen significant growth in both sales and customer flow. As of now, the mall’s customer flow 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 revitalize traditional business districts? This requires learning insights and an open mindset towards emerging business models.
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 advance the iteration of its functions through urban renewal, enhance the quality of its space and environment, and continuously create diverse consumption scenarios by focusing on innovation in consumption highlights and enriching consumption offerings. This includes deeply linking business districts, commercial streets, and malls to convert the foot traffic from events such as the Shanghai International Sports Trend Culture Festival and the Jing’an International Light Festival into increased consumption. At the same time, efforts will be made to attract more high-quality brands to settle in Jing’an and streamline the process of “first launch – first store – first enterprise.” Additionally, there will be a focus 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 district.
