New approach

Lou's idea was to create a "community-supported ecosystem of future living", and the result was the NICE 2035 "living lane"－a 200-meter alley located right beside Cibic's apartment.

Today, the location is a charming blend of the old and new after the project introduced new elements such as artisanal coffee bars, design labs and coworking spaces.

"The urban community has long been seen as merely a place for living and leisure, and therefore a place where innovation outcomes are consumed and not generated," says Lou, who is now the vice-president of Tongji University.

"The project challenges this view and adopts a design-driven approach to building an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship by breaking the 'wall' between the university and the community."

Other new additions to the community include the opening of the first Aston Martin design studio outside Britain, the service center for Siping Road subdistrict's social organization, as well as the Shanghai branch of the Fab Lab network, a space that provides tools and knowledge for technical invention.