A one-year journey of redefining urban living for young professionals

One year after its opening, Hongqiao Talent Apartments, a super community with over 5,400 units of affordable rental housing, has become home to 3,998 young talent across 2,933 leased apartments.  

As Shanghai’s largest affordable housing project in the downtown city, the complex, developed by the New Changning Group, has redefined the living ecosystem for urban youth. Breaking away from the traditional one-size-fits-all model of affordable housing, it offers 12 layout options ranging from compact 20-square-meter studios to spacious 104-square-meter three-bedroom units, catering to diverse needs—from single professionals and newlyweds to families with multiple children.  

Beyond cozy living spaces, the community features shared amenities like multi-functional rooms, billiard lounges, and private theaters, fostering a relaxed and vibrant social atmosphere.  

"Transitional housing isn’t just a temporary stop—it’s the city’s first gift to young newcomers," said Yu Min, head of the project’s operations team. Addressing the "first-mile" challenges for job seekers, the complex introduced a "Youth Station" program. It also rolled out a "Home for Urban Builders" initiative for the city’s unsung heroes, offering four-person dormitories with private bathrooms at less than a third of market rental rates.  

Though just 1.5 kilometers from the Metro station, the 15–20 minute walk posed a hurdle. Responding to residents’ feedback, New Changning Group launched free shuttle buses during rush hours to nearby Line 2 and Line 10 stations.  

Commercial planning also reflects tenant-centric thinking. This September, an eagerly awaited underground retail space will debut, complementing ground-level convenience stores, laundromats, and salons with premium offerings like gyms, study lounges, and communal cafeterias—sketching a "5-minute living circle."  

The "Night School," voted by tenants as the "most anticipated program," has become a cultural hub. Every night, activity rooms transform into classes—from jazz dance and kickboxing to calligraphy, seal carving, and tea ceremonies—enriching post-work hours.  

In March, a romantic rooftop proposal went viral. "We understand young people’s desire to be seen," said Yu. "That’s why we light up the terrace for every marriage proposal and connect startup teams with resources. This isn’t just housing—it’s a dream incubator."  

From "a bed" to "a home," from solitude to community, New Changning Group’s 365-day experiment answers what young residents truly crave: a harbor where ambition and poetry coexist—a place to thrive, not just survive.

Experts gather to explore the power of open-source collaboration

The second lecture of the 2025 Shanghai Silicon Lane Innovation Talk series, titled "Open-Source Free Style," was held at the Huayang Subdistrict Community Cultural Activity Center recently. The event brought together six experts from technology, industry, legal, and other fields to discuss how open-source principles can drive cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation.  

In the realm of software and technology, "open-source" refers to publicly accessible source code, licensed under terms that allow users to freely use, modify, and develop upon it. At its core, open-source embodies the spirit of openness and sharing.  

At the event, Zheng Min, chairman of Shanghai Aoyou Information Technology Co Ltd, shared insights on the development of Internet of Things in the power equipment industry.  

Zhang Hongbing, a seasoned open-source expert and chief operating officer of Shanghai DaoCloud Network Technology Co Ltd, delivered a presentation on international open-source project community governance and operational strategies.  

From a legal perspective, Zhao Yunhu, partner at Beijing Dacheng (Shanghai) Law Firm, analyzed the characteristics of open-source large model licenses and illustrated key legal considerations in compliance, data training, and processing through real-world cases.  

On the security front, Wang Feng, marketing director of Shanghai Sectrend Information Technology Co Ltd, gave a talk titled "Software supply chain security: insights, challenges, and explorations."  

The session concluded with Ye Chang, AI lead at RT-Thread Electronics Technology, who presented "Open-source + AI: empowering edge devices with intelligence."

Additionally, Zhang Guofeng, dean of the Open-Source Innovation and Digital Governance Research Institute at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics and founder of the Shanghai Open-Source Information Technology Association, shared his vision on international collaboration in open-source innovation, outlining prospects for establishing an open-source innovation international cooperation demonstration zone.  

Since its launch in 2023, the Shanghai Silicon Lane Innovation Talk series has hosted seven sessions, featuring nearly 50 experts who have shared their innovation journeys.

Changning District explores nighttime economy with culture & cuisine

This year, Changning District is committed to creating a year-round nighttime lifestyle destination, exploring a dual-core nighttime economy model driven by "culture + cuisine." 

On July 20, the three-day FEAST Food Festival concluded at Columbia Circle, where immersive dining experiences and the charm of nighttime leisure attracted widespread participation and praise from residents and visitors alike.  

The food festival brought together over 40 food and beverage brands, creating multiple immersive experience zones that led attendees on an "adventure" blending global flavors, specialty drinks, and lifestyle inspiration.  

During the same period, a culinary exchange forum invited more than 20 guests, including pioneers in the food industry and culinary innovation enthusiasts, to engage in in-depth discussions with the public on topics such as wine tasting, modern health concepts, and creative branding. Unique food-themed activities like soundwave experimental cooking and flavor-sensory exhibitions provided a multi-sensory experience for attendees.  

Throughout the festival, the venue also hosted a series of highlight events. At the Navy Club, the new cultural brand "City New Theater" featured a limited-time return of the immersive acrobatic performance “Full of Beans,” breaking the boundaries between stage and audience to showcase the charm of "zero-distance" theater. At the Sun Ke Villa, the venue collaborated with the La Strada Troupe to launch the "Urban Confessions" workshop series, allowing the audience to reflect on their personal connections with Shanghai through storytelling.  

Officials of the District Commerce Commission said that it will amplify the strengths of Shanghai Columbia Circle's "cultural creativity + historical charm," Dingxi Road's "nighttime food market + local vibes," and M+ Xingfuli's "community leisure + boutique commercial offerings" to create a nighttime consumption ecosystem that caters to all demographics from high-end gatherings to lively street scenes and quality experiences.

Changning showcases low-altitude economy potential at international expo roadshow

Changning District hosted a dedicated promotion session for the 2025 International Advanced Air Mobility Expo on July 23, attracting nearly 100 leading enterprises, industry associations, and financial institutions from the sector.

At the event, the Changning District Administration for Market Regulation issued business licenses to two innovative companies, Shanghai GuanYi Aviation and Hydrogen Source Intelligent Technology, marking another step in the accelerated development of the Hongqiao International Low-Altitude Economy Industrial Park (Changning Zone).

Deputy District Director Zhao Yongzun outlined three key initiatives to fuel industry growth: First, leveraging Hongqiao’s role as an international open hub to expand aviation economy from high-altitude to low-altitude applications, supporting Shanghai’s "City in the Sky" vision. Second, collaborating with the Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, East China Regional Administration of Civil Aviation, and Hongqiao International Central Business District to build a new-type airworthiness certification system and establish a one-stop service platform for low-altitude economy infrastructure. Third, deepening integration across industrial, innovation, and capital chains to provide full lifecycle support for enterprises.

During the investment promotion segment, Changning officials highlighted upcoming demonstration projects, including CNOOC’s maritime route trials and urban inspection routes (Haisu Greenbelt-Zhongshan Park), as flagship applications poised for launch.

Officials from East Hongqiao Center and Hongqiao UpTown detailed their roles within the industrial park, with the former unveiling plans for a 1,200-square-meter "Hongqiao International Low-Altitude Economy Lounge." Designed with exhibition, networking, and flexible expansion zones, the space will serve as a one-stop hub for corporate settlement and industry matchmaking.

Changning firms showcase cutting-edge AI innovations at WAIC

Several Changning-based enterprises have made waves with their breakthrough technologies at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) which ended on July 29.

Westwell Tech, an eight-time WAIC participant and pioneer in AI logistics, unveiled three major advancements at the AI Application Hall: the global debut of its upgraded Q-Tractor P40 Plus new-energy autonomous tractor, the first-ever Hymala multimodal logistics hub large model matrix, and the latest commercialization progress of its Q-Truck fully driverless heavy trucks – demonstrating AI's transformative impact on smart logistics.