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Running like an artery from the Huangpu at Shanghai to the Great Canal at Suzhou, Suzhou Creek evokes a mixture of reactions in Shanghai residents, both local and foreign alike.
Once synonymous with the burgeoning inland trade between Shanghai and the interior, the Creek has long since declined in importance. Nevertheless, barges still chug their path along its length and the faded grandeur of its trading past can be found in the varied warehouses, mills and customs houses along its banks. One thing has changed – and for the better – it pollution. In the early 1920's the Creek had become so dirty, part of it actually caught fire and burned for 2-days. However, due to a government regeneration and plan, over the last few years, the waters have been largely purged of their worst ills and, while not quite crystal, at least have lost their once over powering odour.
One of the challenges facing Shanghai is how to use its second water way. To date, much land has been made available to developers, who's work has sadly involved replacing historical buildings, of both merit and little interest, with non-descript residential compounds, which themselves are often guilty of cutting off public access from the actual banks of the Creek.
It is therefore gratifying to see an attempt to re-appraise, at least in part, this approach. In 2003 the Shanghai Municipal Government listed an area between Henan Rd. and Qufu (West) Rd. as an experimental area for historical and cultural conservation. And, in co-ordination with Shanghai Brilliance (Group) Co. Ltd, owner of 11 heritage listed warehouse buildings, has commenced a study of how best to re-develop it in a way which both preserves and projects the city into the future. At stake are some of the cities' finest historical assets.
Examples range from the Fu Xin flour factory at Guangfu Rd of 4,300m² (c.1912) through to the art deco Bank of Communications warehouse of 9556m?? (c.1932) and historically important Four Bank Warehouse of 29,931m?? (c.1931), centre of Chinese resistance against Japanese attacks against Shanghai in 1937.
The Shanghai Riverside Commercial Development Co. Ltd. has been set up under the auspices of the above co-operation, to co-ordinate future development proposals. These are expected to combine both the historic features of the original warehouses and redevelopment of much of their environs. While no firm plan has been fixed on, proposals broadly envisage a mixture of leisure, retail and office uses. The prospect is an exciting one and, it is hoped, will re-inject a new vigour to these once thriving commercial streets and bring a new phase of life and use to some of Shanghai's proudest historic assets.
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