Changle Lu (长乐路), known for its vibrant nightlife and iconic bars like 624 and 公路商店 (Gōnglù shāngdiàn), is being demolished. On any weekend, the streets were packed with students and young professionals, making it a hub for Shanghai’s youth culture. Ice cream shops and street food vendors stayed open until the early hours to cater to the crowds, creating a lively atmosphere.

However, not everyone viewed this scene positively. Residents, whose homes lined the street, often saw this nightlife culture as a nuisance, with loud conversations, laughter, or vomiting keeping them awake at night. Despite previous efforts to control the noise, including heavy police presence and barriers to keep people on the sidewalks, the situation remained contentious.

The turning point came on June 30 2024, when the Shanghai government announced that 91.6% of the residents in the proposed demolition area had agreed to be relocated in exchange for compensation. According to the People’s Government of Shanghai, this decision means “600 households are going to start a better life.”

While details of the compensation remain unclear, many believe that residents are generally well-compensated, often receiving property valued higher than their original homes, albeit in less desirable locations. Government signs encouraging early agreement to relocation were posted around Changle Lu, with slogans like “早签约，早搬迁，早得益” (Sign early, move early, benefit early) and “抓住城市更新机遇，共创美好生活” (Seize the opportunity of urban renewal to have a better life).

图片来源 一 口黑白配不配-小红书 “早签约，早搬迁，早得益

Sign early, move early, benefit early

These efforts targeted long-term residents, such as Fangzheng, a 57-year-old who owned a 9.5 square meter house on the street for two generations. Fangzheng had been renting out the small house and living elsewhere for over a decade. He happily shared that his new home is larger and includes an elevator, a rare amenity in the old Changle Lu houses.