A round-table forum on the future of the Zhenru area was held at the Digital Advertisement Zone Shanghai during the 2025 Shanghai Urban Space Art Season in Putuo district. Seven top planners discussed both international and local proposals for the area.

Once famous for the bustling Tongchuan Road seafood market, the Zhenru area is now undergoing renewal. The redevelopment project seeks to build a versatile urban center that combines Shanghai West Railway Station, commercial offices, cultural venues, ecological residences, and public amenities.

Experts examined methods to maintain the Zhenru area's rich historical urban life while integrating a digital and intelligent dimension. They also considered how passenger flows at the station could be transformed into energy sources to support regional growth and urban renewal.

​One team proposed an elevated green walkway connecting the station, the Zhenru Temple, and the new hub, integrating transport, culture, and ecology into a recognizable urban landmark. Another concept focused on public spaces, mixed-use industries, and resilient communities.

Global examples included a German industrial-to-eco redevelopment and lessons from the Fuxing Island's adaptive reuse and ecological flood-wall design. These cases offer practical guidance for the Zhenru area's transformation and future growth.

Experts said the Zhenru area needs an operation-first, people-centered approach that combines international standards with local implementation. Putuo district authorities committed to improving collaboration, encouraging participation, and carrying out projects.

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Putuo Media Center at "shputuo"