Press Release for Media Briefing of the Shanghai Municipal Government on July 24, 2023
2023.07.25
On
the morning of yesterday (July 24), the Information Office of Shanghai
Municipality held the second press briefing under the theme of “High-Quality Development
in Shanghai,” which was the Xuhui District special session focused on
“Accelerating Urban Renewal and Promoting High-quality Development.” Cao
Liqiang, Secretary of the CPC Xuhui District Committee, presented Xuhui
District’s targeted measures to boost urban renewal, enhance urban functions,
stimulate innovation vitality, and improve the living environment. Zhong
Xiaoyong, chief of Xuhui District, Chen Yong, director of Xuhui District
Commerce Commission, Zhang Ning, director of Xuhui District Science and
Technology Commission, Zhou Ying, director of Xuhui District Civil Affairs
Bureau, and Li Feiyu, executive deputy director of Xuhui Binjiang Administration
Office attended the press briefing and answered questions from reporters.
The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of
China emphasized the significance of “high-quality development” as the top
priority in constructing a modern socialist nation comprehensively. It called
for the acceleration of the transformation of development patterns in
megacities and the implementation of urban renewal initiatives. Xuhui, as a
prime example, has made significant strides in leveraging its advantages,
excellent layout, and robust functionality to excel in the high-quality
development of the downtown area. In the first year of the new blueprint, with
urban renewal as a pivotal approach and starting point, Xuhui has endeavored to
drive development transformation, expand its functionalities, enhance the
overall well-being of its citizens, and elevate the overall quality of life.
Through these efforts, Xuhui aims to uncover more exemplary instances during
the process of Shanghai’s modernization.
1. Leveraging urban renewal to propel development to
new heights
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Xuhui already
initiated two rounds of transformative “5+1+X” urban renewal actions. The first
round’s focus lay predominantly on the Binjiang area, with a primary emphasis
on land acquisition and storage encompassing a vast area of 285 hectares. This
phase is on track to achieve significant progress and is slated for completion
within this year. As a result, a fresh three-year action plan has been unveiled
this year to launch another round of urban renewal initiatives. This time, the
efforts are concentrated along five major thoroughfares, including Zhongshan
Road South, Zhaojiabang Road, and Longwu Road, as well as the expansive Greater
Xujiahui area. This comprehensive endeavor aims to meticulously assess the land
use situation and establish 108 renewal projects, effectively covering a land
area of 334 hectares. The primary objective of these renewal projects is to
optimally utilize scarce land resources, thereby generating greater benefits
and continuously expanding the development space.
The
first aspect is the integration of functions, as the core function of an urban
area determines its core competitiveness. Just half a month ago, during the
Fifth Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Xuhui District Committee, Xuhui put
forward an ambitious plan to create five major functional areas: the Greater
Xujiahui Functional Area, the West Bund Binjiang Functional Area, the Caohejing
Development Expansion Functional Area, the Xuhui Midtown Functional Area, and
the Huajing Gateway Functional Area. To achieve this vision, a deeper
understanding of the land, population, and infrastructure resources is
essential to optimize their allocation and enhance the unique characteristics
of each functional area. For instance, Xujiahui serves as Xuhui’s iconic
landmark. Over the past two years, significant progress has been made in
revitalizing the business district with the establishment of prominent projects
like the ITC, the Overpass, and Zikawei Library. Furthermore, future plans
involve the comprehensive renovation of Pacific Department Store and No. 6
Department Store, the introduction of national trendy brands, the development
of a thriving night economy, and continuous upgrades to the business district.
Building on this foundation, Xuhui proposes the creation of the Greater
Xujiahui Functional Area, centered around the bustling Xujiahui business
district, extending northward to the Hengshan-Fuxing Road Historic Reservation
Area, southward to the Xujiahui Sports Park, and linking with the rich
scientific and technological innovation resources of institutions like the
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Shanghai
Medical School, Fudan University. This approach aims to promote multifunctionality,
encompassing business, commerce, culture, tourism, sports, finance, and
technology, facilitating seamless integration and further elevating Xujiahui as
a dynamic central activity area with increasing vitality.
The second aspect is industrial upgrading,
recognizing that industry serves as the foundation of development. Guided by
the city’s comprehensive “industrial map,” Xuhui has devised a strategic “4+3+X”
industrial layout and is actively constructing distinctive industrial parks
through urban renewal, transforming landscapes and revitalizing opportunities.
These efforts not only offer high-quality platforms for project implementation
but also foster a conducive ecosystem for sustained industrial growth. For
instance, the modern financial industry has adopted a “One City, One Street”
focus. “One City” is the West Bund Financial City, dedicated to attracting
licensed and internationally benchmarked institutions. Meanwhile, “One Street”
refers to Hengshan-Fuxing Financial
Street, which leverages Shanghai-style culture and repurposes high-quality old
buildings to create a vibrant hub for private equity investment institutions.
Similarly, the life and health industry flourishes with support from Fenglin for
clinical research, Caohejing Development Innovation for incubation, and Life
Blue Bay for R&D and Manufacturing. Through integration and linkage, this
sector forms a cohesive industrial space, fostering the convergence of
professional outsourcing service institutions and elevating the prowess of the
entire industry chain. Additionally, initiatives like the West Bund Media Port,
Digital Valley, Caohejing Development Metaverse Industrial Innovation Park, and
others harness new spaces to accommodate emerging industries.
The third aspect is ensuring smooth circulation,
recognizing that transportation forms the very foundation of development. While
Xuhui serves as the central urban area and boasts generally convenient
transportation, disparities between the north and south remain pronounced,
leading to apparent congestion in the center. In response, Xuhui has initiated
the “six vertical” road network plan this year, with a primary focus on
creating six north-south passages to bridge this gap. Simultaneously, the
district is optimizing supporting roads within the five functional areas,
resulting in a total of 31 road projects to start construction within the year
to enhance the efficient circulation of people and goods. A tangible example of
this initiative is the opening of Tianyaoqiao Road South, a vital connection
between Xujiahui and Xuhui Binjiang, effectively improving traffic flow between
Xuhui Binjiang and Longhua areas. Additionally, the Shanghai Botanical Garden,
spanning over 1,200 mu and stretching 1.2 kilometers from east to west, offers
an excellent ecological environment for surrounding residents. However, the
convenience of traveling to and from the area has been a challenge. To address
this, Xuhui, in collaboration with the municipal greenery authority and the
botanical garden, is studying the addition of an underpass tunnel in
conjunction with the botanical garden’s northern expansion. This thoughtful
initiative will significantly enhance the travel experience for residents in
the Changqiao area, fostering better connectivity and accessibility.
2.
Leveraging urban renewal to bolster the prowess
of scientific and technological innovation
Innovation
is the primary driving force behind high-quality development. Xuhui, with its unique
confluence of leading academies, institutes, schools, enterprises, and industrial
parks, serves as an epicenter for innovation, with a focus on fostering urban renewal
in the surrounding areas. The district endeavors to create a more open and
collaborative carrier space, fostering deep interaction and seamless
integration among campuses, parks, neighborhoods, and communities, thereby
providing a robust foundation for cultivating a comprehensive innovation
ecosystem.
The
first aspect centers on establishing scientific and technological innovation
blocks. Proactively engaging with local universities and institutes, Xuhui
conducts comprehensive land assessments for scientific research and related
infrastructure, strategically expanding the existing construction area from
830,000 square meters to 2.4 million square meters through urban renewal
initiatives. This expansion supports original innovation and facilitates the
transformation of achievements. To this end, six distinct “Scientific and
Technological Innovation Blocks” will be planned and constructed, focusing on
vital sectors like Fenglin for life and health, Caohejing for digital technology,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Ring Area for artificial intelligence, East China
University of Science and Technology Ring Area for biomaterials, as well as the
other two for audio-visual equipment and nutrition and health. The
refurbishment and augmentation of scientific research institutions will facilitate
the creation of many high-level scientific and technological innovation hubs,
complete with state-of-the-art incubators equipped with laboratory functions
that encourage the shared use of personnel, equipment, information, and
services. These measures will not only meet the organizations’ own needs for
quick achievement transformation, but also reduce the cost of innovation for
the whole society. Building on this foundation, a dedicated service center for
the transformation of scientific and technological achievements is established
within the district. Through partnerships with institutions like Shanghai Jiao
Tong University, Fudan University, and Zhongshan Hospital, platforms such as
concept verification centers and clinical research management centers will be
explored and strengthened. Moreover, the district will optimize the impact of
the 1-billion-yuan regional science and technology innovation fund, making
early investments in solid projects to catalyze the complete chain of
innovation achievement transformation.
The second aspect is the revitalization of scientific
and technological parks. Caohejing Development Zone holds the distinction of
being the earliest state-level economic development zone and high-tech zone in
Shanghai, boasting nearly four decades of growth. Xuhui is actively exploring
the park’s renewal by initiating a high-quality development fund, and
propelling key projects such as those with Ramada and Shenergy. Efforts are set
to renew approximately 48.6 hectares of land, with a particular emphasis on
constructing the Caobao Road Science and Innovation Axis. This axis will serve
as a vital link connecting innovative entities, such as Shanghai Normal
University, Shanghai Institute of Technology, and Shanghai Institute of Process
Automation & Instrumentation. Additionally, Xuhui seeks to pilot
manufacturing within high-rise buildings, while promoting a functional
connection between Caohejing Development and Xuhui Binjiang. Simultaneously,
plans are underway to establish the Beiyang Artificial Intelligence Innovation
Center in southern Xuhui, expanding the strategic development space for the zone.
The third aspect centers on helping and ensuring that talents
can settle down. In order to help innovative talents work and live in Xuhui
free of worry, the district, on one hand, strives to support talents to strike
a balance between work and life. With a focus on talent gathering areas like
Xuhui Binjiang, Caohejing Development, and South Railway Station, Xuhui
continues to expand the supply of talent apartments. Over the next three years,
more than 8,000 new apartments are estimated to be added. On the other hand,
the district emphasizes both livability and business needs, as special
attention is given to the fact that innovative talents often have families,
including both children and elderly members. Consequently, public facilities
such as education, medical care, elderly care, social services, and commercial
amenities are thoughtfully integrated into traditional industrial spaces,
providing a supportive environment for talents to focus on their innovative
endeavors without worries, thus fostering an atmosphere conducive to innovation
and entrepreneurship.
3.
Leveraging urban renewal to drive a better life
for tomorrow
The
goal of development is to improve people’s livelihood. By firmly adhering to
the principle of “using each possible addition of financial resources to improve
people’s livelihood,” and with a focus on urban renewal, the district
continuously strives to upgrade public facilities and enhance living standards,
aiming to better cater to the needs of its residents for a more fulfilling
life. Xuhui focuses on three essential aspects to achieve this goal.
The first
aspect focuses on accelerating the transformation from the “old” to the “new”
in three areas. This entails rejuvenating old structures with a fresh outlook, renewing
the appearance of aged communities, and ensuring residents in these areas
embrace a new and improved lifestyle. Xuhui, being an old downtown area, has
over two-thirds of its residential areas categorized as old residential spaces.
In the 14th Five-Year Plan period, significant progress has been made in
completing the refurbishment of over 800 remaining separate households.
Additionally, determined efforts are being made to expedite the revamp of
260,000 square meters of partly shared apartments and renovation of 9 million
square meters of old residential buildings within the next three years. As part
of a comprehensive approach, Xuhui is diligently addressing various livelihood
concerns, encompassing green space enhancements, parking space refurbishments, new
elevator installations, integrated rain and sewage systems, and other essential
improvements. Through this holistic approach, the residents of Xuhui are
provided with the opportunity to benefit from the positive outcomes of the
district’s development.
The
second aspect is on creating a “15-minute community life circle.” Leveraging
the party-mass service positions at all levels, Xuhui aims to develop an
upgraded version of community centers. A comprehensive assessment of population
structure, resource distribution, and residents’ needs has led to the division
of the entire district into 40 distinct areas, ensuring full coverage of
party-mass service centers in each locality. These centers are designed to
integrate various functions, including community canteens, wet markets,
community health stations, community commercial facilities, community sports
amenities, and community cultural activities. The result is a convenient and
efficient one-stop “life box” that caters to the needs of residents of all
ages, with special emphasis on effective care for the elderly and the kids,
right at their doorsteps.
The
third aspect revolves around enhancing the configuration of public services. To
address the existing north-south imbalance, Xuhui is committed to optimizing
the layout of education, medical care, and elderly care facilities. The
district plans to establish additional basic education schools in the southern
region while collaborating with Zhongshan Hospital to operate the southern
medical center within the year. Concurrently, community health centers will
undergo renovation and expansion, and the construction of medical and elderly
care integration projects, such as the southern elderly care center and care
homes, will be promoted. These efforts aim to achieve a more balanced and
high-quality supply of public services for all residents. Furthermore, Xuhui is
dedicated to implementing the integrated greenery improvement plan. The
district is accelerating the construction of a 100-hectare eco-park belt (Xuhui
section), supplemented by the addition of several pocket parks, street gardens,
and urban greenways. Xuhui encourages more institutions to open subsidiary
green spaces to the general public, while introducing “park+” functionalities,
including illuminated stadiums and children’s playgrounds. This concerted
effort will contribute significantly to the realization of Xuhui’s vision of
becoming an urban area with flourishing parks.
Urban renewal is a comprehensive and
collaborative endeavor, emphasizing the principles of co-construction and
sharing. To achieve the ambitious renewal goals and foster high-quality
development, it requires not only the government’s strategic planning and
continuous investment but also active participation from regional entities and
the general public. This collective effort is crucial in creating more
aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods, enchanting parks, and thriving
communities, all conducive to livability and business ventures. By joining
forces and working together, we can collectively contribute to the realization
of a “new Xuhui” and embark on an inspiring new journey towards progress and
prosperity.
