The Putuo district bureau of civil affairs recently unveiled a series of measures to promote the high-quality development of the silver economy.

The term "silver economy" refers to the market for products, services, and industries that cater to the needs of the aging population.

A major highlight is the release of Shanghai's first elderly-friendly mall construction standards, with Zhenru Unipark Max becoming the district's first mall to earn this title.

The new standards cover five key areas: elderly-friendly culture, management, services, environment, and emergency handling. They specify detailed requirements for what defines an elderly-friendly mall. For example:

- Elderly-friendly environment: Malls must meet national standards for barrier-free design at entrances and ramps, with clear safety signage. Public areas should include dedicated rest areas for seniors, and accessible restrooms should be available on every floor. Store entrances should be step-free or equipped with movable ramps, and doorways should be wide enough for wheelchair access. Smart devices should support voice commands, and signage must use fonts larger than 60 millimeters.

- Safety services: Malls must include a medical service point equipped with AED devices and staffed with dedicated or volunteer medical personnel.

- Senior-friendly consumer services: Stores should offer dedicated spaces for senior products and experiences, providing senior-friendly goods and services. Marketing activities should be designed specifically to meet the needs of older customers.

In the first half of this year, Zhenru Unipark Max attracted an average of 65,000 visits per weekday, with year-on-year revenue rising by more than 20 percent. The expanding silver economy is considered a key driver of that growth.

By mid-2026, Putuo plans to establish five more elderly-friendly malls that cater to the specific needs of seniors, creating replicable and scalable models for wider implementation.

Sources: Jiefang Daily, official WeChat account of Shanghai Putuo Media Center at "shputuo"