Past: Development & Decline of an Old Factory & Residential Lilong Area in Jing’an & Vacant Idle Space (1950-2017)
Shankang Lane is located at the end of North Shaanxi Road in Jing’an District, Shanghai. The lane is made up of the old factories, warehouses, workshops and lilong neighborhoods built in the 1950s-80s. At one time, the factories, workshops and warehouses that occupied the lane played a significant role in the production, processing, manufacturing and storage of goods across Shanghai. This area attracted many small food-processing plants, machine manufacturers, and packaging material suppliers. As such, it served as a key area for the development of Shanghai’s industry and community in western Jing’an.
However, with the rise of urban industrial development and the shifting of functionality in central urban districts, the original factories left, and their production ceased. Many of the factories were either abandoned or idle. Over time the age and disrepair of the buildings increased. The physical layout of the area deteriorated significantly. Infrastructure in the area also began to show signs of aging. Environmental conditions in the area also became disorderly. Potential safety hazards existed throughout the area. For many years, many buildings had stood vacant. Although the area is located in Jing’an which is centrally located in Shanghai and offers excellent transportation opportunities, the area continued to decline to the point where it was no longer functioning efficiently as an old factory area/mixed residential area within the central city. Stock space renewal, and urban renewal needed to be undertaken, thus creating an urgent need for this area to be included in Jing’an District’s urban renewal projects.
Current: Revitalized Jing’an Creative Life & Cultural/Artistic Creative District Using Small-Scale Renovation (2018-Present)
As of 2018, the revitalization and renovation project of Shankang Lane was officially launched. The project utilizes the government-guidance-market-operation-asset-light-renovation model and the “Minimal Intervention” principle to carry out detailed renovations of the historic factories, warehouses, and lilong buildings in order to retain the original textures and spatial characteristics of the historic area (i.e., red-brick walls, roof structures, industrial beams and narrow alleyways). At the same time, the project renovated the existing piping systems and improved the lighting, public spaces, and related service facilities of the area to resolve the potential safety hazards and environmental deficiencies associated with the old factory area.
After undergoing renovation, Shankang Lane has gradually opened to the public and has established itself as a “Jing’an Urban Creative Life District.” While maintaining the original industrial and lilong ambiance of old Shanghai, the area has introduced various types of cultural and artistic workspaces (such as creative design, new media and art studios), and leisure formats (such as boutique cafes, specialty food services, design retail, art exhibitions and trendy experiences), ultimately establishing a hybrid use space combining commerce and office activities, history and style. Due to the unique old factory ambiance, high value scenes, and young people-oriented formats of the project, the project has rapidly gained popularity and has become one of the most popular, internet famous, check-in spots in Shanghai, and an area where cultural and creative professionals gather; it has successfully reutilized idle land stock in the central urban area, and enhanced the vitality of the North Shaanxi Road area of Jing’an District, and has restored the space of the old factory and lilong area.
Historical and Modern Significance
Shankang Lane is a representative example of the revitalization of the mixed old industrial factory and lilong space in Central Shanghai. In addition, the revitalization of this space reflects the changing nature of urban development from industrial production to modern services and from old neighborhoods to creative districts.
However, when compared to similar neighborhood restoration projects in Shanghai like the original Xintiandi or Hongshou Fang, modern architecture often completely displaces traditional lilong buildings within Shankang Lane, perhaps increasing its functionality for visitors today but greatly reducing its preservation of the former light industry located here.
Image References
All images not separately credited below filmed at location by Stories Rezoned team
- Anonymous. Jingjiang Building Materials Market Entrance. 2018. ArchDaily, https://www.archdaily.cn/cn/990611/shang-hai-sha-kang-li-xin-yu-zhi-cheng.
- Anonymous. Aerial View of Shankangli (Jingjiang Building Materials Market). 2018. ArchDaily, https://www.archdaily.cn/cn/990611/shang-hai-sha-kang-li-xin-yu-zhi-cheng.
- Anonymous. Aerial View of Shankangli After Renovation. 2021. ArchDaily, https://www.archdaily.cn/cn/990611/shang-hai-sha-kang-li-xin-yu-zhi-cheng.
References
- People’s Government of Jing’an District, Shanghai. “Overview of the Renewal and Renovation of Shankang Lane Old Factory Area.” 8 Oct. 2022, www.jingan.gov.cn/zt/chengshigengxin/shankangli.html.
- Jiefang Daily. “Shankang Lane: Old Factory Transformed into a New Creative Landmark in Jing’an.” 15 Mar. 2023, www.jfdaily.com/2023/0315/145221.shtml.
- The Paper. “Micro-Renewal Lights Up Jing’an: Practice of Shankang Lane Urban Renewal.” 20 Aug. 2023, www.jfdaily.com/shguan/2023/0820/111892.html.
- Jing’an News Network. “Shankang Lane: Creative Rebirth of an Old Factory Area.” 10 Jan. 2024, www.jingannews.com/jac/2024-01/10/content_1023456.htm.
- Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources. “Summary of Stock Space Renewal in Shankang Lane, Jing’an District.” 5 May 2024, zrzyj.sh.gov.cn/ghzl/202405/t20240505_192341.html.