These are all good cases of urban renewal in the Shanghai metropolitan area development report, including Suzhou Pingjiang Road, Guangzhou Yongqing Fang, and Chengdu Taikoo Li stock | urban renewal | metropolitan area

In the context of urban development transitioning from an incremental era to a stock era, urban renewal is of great significance, especially for modern metropolises like Shanghai with over a century of history.

The latest achievement released by the research team of the Shanghai Global Urban Research Institute at the Jianke Building, titled "Shanghai Urban Circle Development Report - Volume 4 Urban Renewal," brings a sense of vertical and horizontal comparison to more than ten urban renewal cases. In Shanghai, which is building a global city, there are the past and present of Yangpu Industrial Zone, the historical buildings of the Bund that have gone through vicissitudes of life and set sail again, the century old inheritance of Shangsheng · Xinsuo that has become popular, the first protective expropriation of Zhangyuan Shikumen, and the revitalization of the historical and cultural landscape area.

In addition, the six major cases from other places have also become "stones from other mountains": Pingjiang Road in Suzhou reproduces the ancient water town, Jiaxing Railway Station inherits and revitalizes into new concepts, Wangfujing Street in Beijing has a new appearance, Yongqing Square in Guangzhou has been renovated and rebuilt as before, the ancient city of Nantou in Shenzhou has been reborn, and Chengdu Taikoo Village has transformed from a thousand year old jungle to a fashionable landmark. Even the entire book cites updated cases from foreign cities for reference, such as King's Cross Station in London, Port Baltimore, Seoul's Kiyogawa River, etc. Each case photo was taken on-site by the research team.

As the leading editor in chief of the Shanghai Metropolitan Area Development Report and Chairman of the Academic Committee of the Shanghai Global Urban Research Institute, Professor Chen Xian believes that the urban renewal movement has a development history of 100 years abroad. In recent years, with China's urbanization rate entering the second half, the policies and practices of urban renewal in China have become increasingly rich. From large-scale demolition and construction to people-oriented, from government leadership to participation from all sectors of society, urban renewal has different connotations in different historical stages, but always aims to meet people's needs. Currently, it is continuously optimizing and adjusting towards a more reasonable spatial layout, a more livable living environment, and a more dynamic urban economy.

So, is urban renewal only within the perspective of architectural planners? Perhaps everyone has their own city renewal that they are most concerned about. Wang Yunyun, deputy editor in chief of the Shanghai Metropolitan Area Development Report from the Shanghai Global Urban Research Institute, stated that architectural planners, public management scholars, historical and cultural scholars, and economists are all elaborating on urban renewal from at least four perspectives in the eyes of different professional groups.

For example, urban renewal from the perspective of public management scholars focuses on policy systems, governance cooperation, social equity, neighborhood relationships, etc. From the water town of Pingjiang Road Historical and Cultural District in Suzhou, which guarantees the original way of life, to the Guangdong Guild Hall in Chengdu Taikoo Li, which not only continues history but also interprets fashion, to the creation of employment opportunities through community linkage around King's Cross Street Station in London, they focus on the evolution of social and demographic trends, the reconstruction of traditional family and community structures, continuous adjustment of urban policies, and changes in social concepts and values, all of which will affect the direction of urban development.

From multiple perspectives, the best practice place for urban renewal has also become a fashionable new landmark and a popular check-in spot for citizens and tourists. The Jiefang Daily Shangguan News reporter learned that under the guidance of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology and other organizations, the Shanghai Fashion City Promotion Center and others recently released the "Fashion 100+" list. Based on 12 solicitation and selection dimensions, out of 272 applicants, 17 fashion spaces were ultimately generated. It is easy to find that Shangsheng · Xinsuoyu Bookstore, No. 8 Hengshan Road, "Guanglianshen" Dim sum Park, Hengshan Square, etc. are all in the active urban renewal zone of Shanghai at present.

"Strictly speaking, urban renewal is the renewal of the inner city, which itself has characteristics such as high spatial density, complex market and personnel relationships, and frequent urban renewal." Researcher Zhou Zhenhua, President of the Shanghai Global Urban Research Institute, believes that under the diverse driving forces of economic and social demand changes and institutional organization, urban renewal not only focuses on improving the living conditions of residents, but also pursues industrial structure adjustment that maximizes profits from the perspective of urban development, which requires full consideration of the complexity of relocation, establishment of partnerships, and inheritance of historical and cultural heritage.

Researcher Bao Yaming, Executive Director of the Urban Culture Innovation Research Institute of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, also believes that urban renewal is not just a simple renovation of neighborhoods. It should not only retain the physical form of buildings, but also consider the quality of urban life. In his eyes, urban narrative is an important way to preserve urban culture, unlike museum style fragmented displays, which are more likely to generate people's cohesion towards the city. "Urban renewal is a process of various forces' game in a complex urban space. The diversity of urban space, the richness of urban memory, and the uniqueness of urban culture all require urban renewal to present comprehensive goals, comprehensive objects, sustainable methods, and diversified subjects."