From Old Neighborhoods to New Landmarks: Exploring Daijiaxiang's "Transformation" Code (part 2)

2) The present life.

In 2018, Yuzhong District comprehensively launched the Daijiaxiang Old Neighborhood Urban Renewal Project, using a micro-renewal approach similar to acupuncture therapy in Chinese medicine. The project adopted a unified planning, step-by-step promotion, and a "government + residents" joint implementation mode. It aims to improve public service facilities, preserve old buildings, reshape regional functions, and adjust the industrial pattern, thereby reactivating the value and vitality of the area. After reactivating the area, opened to the public in 2021, the renewed Daijiaxiang Old Neighborhood has shown the street style of Chongqing in the 1970s and 1980s. It has now transformed into a new urban humanistic landmark with a collection of cultural and creative bazaars, boutique hotels, art exhibitions, and Yu-flavored restaurants.

A) Multi-party efforts to reshape the Daijiaxiang style.

1. Government plays a leading prying role.

In the process of renewal, the government implemented the regional environmental transformation, public service facilities supporting complementary, and municipal infrastructure renovation. All the illegal buildings in the area were demolished, the step alleyway was rectified and widened, and the new cliff walkway was built for 1,100 meters, forming six landscapes and five viewing platforms such as Hanging Foot Tower, Craggy Huang Ge, benefiting more than 1,000 residents and creating a good environment for the residents to participate in the renewal work on their own. For the external environment, Daijiaxiang has transformed from a "back street" of a busy neighborhood into a "facade" of a landscape living room, laying the foundation for the overall functional improvement of the area.

The first step in the renovation was to open up the entrance to Linjiang Road so that Daijia Lane would no longer be a backstreet area. This was achieved by knocking down the dilapidated buildings on Daijia Alley next to Linjiang Road, building a new public space, and introducing a new main pedestrian entrance. This also allowed Daijia Alley to have a prominent presence on Linjiang Road, which holds a high volume of pedestrian traffic.

Daijiaxiang near the cliffs of Riverside Road was chosen to shape a characteristic Chongqing pan mountain trail. The new trail retains the old footstools and the Hongyacong city wall, which are the characteristics of Yubei. It also constructs a a cliff walkway that gradually winds downward in a "Z" shape horizontally to the east, and connects the west side of the cliff walkway to the west with a suspended trestle that runs parallel to the city wall. Thus, the new entrance of Daijiaxiang not only achieves the purpose of linking the Jiefangbei business district and Hongyadong scenic spot, but also bridges the upper and lower halves of Chongqing with a height difference of about 60 meters, which seems to be a twisted condition that can sometimes be turned into a treasure and become a unique experience scene.

After the completion of the Daijiaxiang Yabi Trail, the accessibility and experience of the community were also further enhanced. Measures such as the construction of new public restrooms in the community and the improvement of sewer pipes in the area all paved the way for later specialty businesses and a thriving population. As more tourists visit Chongqing and seek to explore those unique characteristics of the mountain city of the old streets and alleys of the old neighborhoods, a collection of multiple advantages of the Daijiaxiang, naturally presents opportunities for it to stand out.

2. Residents' spontaneous participation in urban renewal.

With the environmental transformation of the area, improvement of spatial quality and commercial vitality, Daijiaxiang attracts a large number of tourists. The increasing commercial value of the ground floor has led to the full commercialization of the residents' own properties on the ground floor of the block buildings. Particularly, the various characteristic small stores stationed on the ground floor, have enhanced the overall fun of the street, enriched the industrial experience, and diversified the categories available.

Prosperous bottom business further accelerated the pace of residents' independent renewal. Residents began to take the initiative to carry out the renewal and reconstruction of the second and third floors and above, and spontaneously added elevators, conducted housing renovations, and set up various characteristics of small stores. In total, residents invested nearly one hundred million yuan in their independent renewal.

The vertical extension of the building renewal makes the commercial scale of the neighborhood expand continuously, As a result, the neighborhood’s atmosphere grows stronger by the day, and the brand influence of “Daijiaxiang” continues to radiate into the surrounding area.

B) Spontaneous growth of businesses that revitalize the neighborhood.

1. Platform companies create a demonstration effect by setting a precedent.

The district-level platform company is responsible for the renewal and transformation of commercial stock assets, as well as their integration and operation. It takes the lead in importing high-quality industries, driving the upgrading of industries and forming a demonstration and driving effect by leading the way. 

After upgrading the asset stock, the introduction of experiential, interactive and scene-oriented main consumer business, has formed the "Daijiaxiang" as the city’s new business card. The renewal of the commercial space has been the finishing touch. Daijiaxiang used to be a necessary route for community residents, and after becoming a transit point for well-known scenic spots, it would face more tourists and local residents in other districts, which made Daijiaxiang both a city living room and a unique personality. 

One of the innovations is the cliff-side box, a small commercial body with a large bright orange color as its outer wrapping. Instead of using expensive art installations, the Daijiaxiang Renewal Project has identified the changing nature of Chongqing's buildings, and has taken materials from the local area and renewed the small space with "artistic treatment", making a special building made of nine giant containers staggered and overlapping. After the completion of the box on the edge of the cliff, it was handed over to a professional company for operation. This business style emphasizes culture and innovation, focusing on food and beverage, coffee, and pub offerings.

In addition to the new buildings, Daijiaxiang is unique in that it retains the original living atmosphere while gathering a circle of independent-run businesses, rendering a sense of warmth and a fashionable atmosphere. The city wall overlooking the river, close to the cliff-side box, recreates the daily scene and serves as a collage of urban memories, reflecting the life scenes from the 1970s and 1980s. The neat signage, store signs, lighting, and public art make the street image less homely and casual.

Overlooking Daijia Lane, this bright orange box can be seen near the section of Riverside Road. [Photo/Guihuazhongguo]

The most representative small street of Daijiaxiang's renewed area is just a hundred meters away and is known by locals as Chongqing Wukang Lu. [Photo/Guihuazhongguo]

Source: <https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/j4-Yx5ttIGxon3ZuVzOiMg>

Edited and Translated by Guan Tao