ShanghaiS Jing’an District Joins Global Waterfront Innovation Network
Shanghai’s Jing’an district, encompassing the Suhewan and West Nanjing Road areas, has been welcomed into the Global Business districts Innovation Club, aligning it with leading business hubs worldwide. The move underscores a commitment to collaborative innovation in waterfront development and urban revitalization.
The announcement came during “Our Water: flowing from Shanghai - Intercultural Dialogues Among World Cities,” an event held Tuesday to foster cultural exchange and launch a global initiative focused on best practices in waterfront design. Over 200 international and domestic guests attended, exploring how waterfronts can serve as catalysts for global urban dialog.
The new initiative, hosted by the Shanghai United Media Group and the Shanghai International Culture Association, will gather innovative case studies centered on ecological resilience, climate adaptation, and the integration of cultural and economic growth. The goal is to create waterfronts that are accessible, lasting, and vital to urban life. Discussions highlighted the potential for Shanghai’s riverfronts to facilitate both chinese enterprises’ global expansion and international companies’ entry into the Chinese market.
Speakers shared insights on sustainable design, urban renewal, and the exchange of ideas between cities like Hong Kong, Tokyo, and London. Ruan Cunfan, Director of the Zhejiang-based Lonsen Group, a key developer in Suhewan, emphasized the influence of global best practices. ”We integrated lessons from global cities… reinforcing a people-centric approach in its development projects,” he stated.
Jing’an district is strategically positioned as a gateway for international engagement, leveraging its strong headquarters economy and professional services sector to deepen its integration into the global urban network. The growing presence of high-caliber service firms like Roland Berger and Morgan McKinley in Suhewan is contributing to a robust enterprise service ecosystem, extending the district’s influence beyond its immediate boundaries.
zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn
