The Lost North Sichuan Road: Glocalization-Driven Disconnection between Commercial Environment and Local Communities

Located in the Hongkou District of Shanghai, North Sichuan Road was once considered one of the three major commercial hubs in Shanghai during the late 1980s and early 21st century (Ning, 1984). However, as China embraced globalization, Shanghai, being the country's economic epicenter, was inevitably influenced by the forces of globalization while formulating its development strategies.

In 2005, Shanghai introduced a commercial initiative aimed at "supporting high-end commercial complexes." The repercussions of this initiative have been profound: a recent study indicates that the commercial impact of North Sichuan Road lags behind that of other thoroughfares in Hongkou District, not to mention Shanghai as a whole (Ding et al., 2020). More than half of the commercial establishments on this street have also since shuttered. Given the burgeoning population and enhanced transportation infrastructure, the decline of North Sichuan Road raises questions. What factors have contributed to this decline? What roles have stakeholders such as the government, community, and developers played?

This study employs planning documents, ethnographic research, and interviews with local residents to understand the rise and fall of North Sichuan Road comprehensively. While the study remains ongoing, some preliminary findings have emerged. In the realm of globalization, the proactive government has imposed standardized commercial models on communities with diverse demographic profiles, resulting in a disconnect between commercial offerings and residents' habits (Bourdieu-style). The reconfiguration of urban spaces and the homogenization of commercial establishments have further disrupted the ecosystem-like commercial landscape by promoting uniformity and assimilation. Consequently, it is imperative for local governments to permit the existence of commercial spaces catering to varied purposes and societal strata. This conclusion holds increasing significance in the face of the relentless influx of global capital and is particularly pertinent in megacities expecting a diverse migrated workforce with disparate needs and backgrounds.