Shanghai's bustling West Nanjing Road subdistrict blends modern vibrancy with historic charm. Its winding alleyways, known as "longtang", are rich with stories and daily life. Yet, for international visitors and residents, this very charm has long posed a navigational challenge.

David, a resident from the United States living in the neighborhood, experienced this firsthand. After moving into the Sun Court, he spent half an hour trying in vain to find a compatriot's flat, thwarted by the building's complex layout.

The layout of this apartment complex is distinctive: it features a four-story mixed structure, with six building units labeled respectively as "甲", "乙", "丙", "丁", "戊", and "己" — equivalent to A, B, C, D, E, and F in English. The north and south units are duplexes, while the east and west units have one staircase serving two households per floor. This design is confusing not only for foreigners but also for local residents.

To address the issue, the community launched an inclusive discussion. Volunteers, security guards, delivery workers, and foreign residents, brought together by the neighborhood committee, proposed solutions such as clearer maps and standardized bilingual signage. Given that over 10 percent of Sun Court's tenants are expatriates, ensuring clarity in signage became a priority.

Following the upgrade, clear bilingual signs in both Chinese and English now mark the entrance of Sun Court. Some residents even added the letter "F" (corresponding to "己" in the building unit number) to their door numbers for extra clarity.

The initiative also extended to Kangle Compound, another residential area where confusing odd-even numbering across branch alleys often baffled even local delivery drivers. The community creatively engaged local middle school students to design wall plaques. After discussion, the translation of "邨" (cun) was chosen as "compound", better reflecting its enclosed, communal character than "village". The final designs, featuring magnolia flowers and brick patterns, were installed in November 2024, blending historical aesthetics with international functionality.

West Nanjing Road subdistrict has identified 142 buildings with foreign residents and is expanding such tailored bilingual solutions, covering everything from rules of conduct to directional signs. The subdistrict also plans regular expat forums and digital feedback channels to further integrate its international community.

Source: Jing'an district government