The aroma of freshly made soy milk still wafts from Ruilan Doufang, an innovative, youthful label under the Zhao Family Tofu Shop, a familiar scent that has permeated Yingpu for generations.

Zhao Heming, the shop's vice-general manager, sees more than just a business; he sees a connection to the past and a promise for the future. It is this blend of honoring history while embracing progress that encapsulates the spirit of Yingpu's ambitious transformation.

On Sept 23, the "Discovering China in Qingpu" salon, hosted by various district authorities including the Information Office of Qingpu District, turned its spotlight on Yingpu subdistrict.

The event provided a platform to showcase Yingpu's commitment to urban renewal and its vision of becoming a strategically linked "six-dimensional new town" driving innovation within the Yangtze River Delta.

Yingpu's vision, articulated by Party Secretary Li Binxu as a framework with "six dimensions", is centered around creating a vibrant, intelligent, harmonious, happy, cultured, and dynamic urban district.

The "six dimensions" are designed to be interconnected, reinforcing each other in a holistic approach to urban development. This is a blueprint for revitalizing the old town while simultaneously fostering the rise of a modern urban center.

"A city's vitality is not solely measured by towering buildings, but also by the everyday life within its neighborhoods," Li Binxu said during the event.

The subdistrict leverages its significant commercial presence, orchestrating events like the Shanghai Shopping Festival to drive economic activity.

For instance, linking five major commercial zones with special deals and promotions led to a 37 percent surge in sales and a visitor count exceeding 115,000 at the Wuyue Plaza shopping mall.

Furthermore, the subdistrict embraced "sports plus consumption", hosting the Shanghai Qingpu Cup 2025 Chinese Chess Association Master Tournament. The event generated 260,000 yuan in hotel revenue and nearly 1.06 million yuan in revenue for restaurants and other local businesses.

The Yingpu Subdistrict Chamber of Commerce plays a key role in this transformation. As Chairman Fan Bin explained, the chamber facilitates communication between businesses and the local government, ensuring businesses are aware of and can benefit from available policies.

The collaboration boosts business performance. During the Shanghai Shopping Festival, cooperative marketing strategies integrating dining, entertainment, and accommodation packages increased daily sales by approximately 40 percent.

For Zhao Heming and businesses like his, the urban renewal project is not just about physical renovation.

"We are paying close attention to the old town demonstration area plan, which is why we have chosen here as a pilot project for industrial innovation and integration," Zhao noted.

His hope is to leverage the revitalized old town to innovate the soy product industry, promote healthy lifestyles, and expand the century-old brand's reach.

The Qingpu Old Town urban renewal project, officially launched in June 2024 with land acquisition, is steadily progressing. The pilot demonstration area opened on May 5, 2025.

According to Guo Pinlei, general manager of Qingpu Old Town Project Company, the project will focus on historical preservation, infrastructure and public services improvement, and the revitalization of industrial heritage, all in an effort to seamlessly blend history with modernity.

Yingpu's journey is more than just urban development; it is about creating a place where residents thrive, talent is rewarded, businesses prosper, and culture flourishes. The subdistrict's commitment to its "six-dimensional new town" vision positions it as a model for balanced growth and a vibrant hub within the Yangtze River Delta.