From 29 to 30 June 2026, GBD Innovation Club and Shanghai Jing’an Central Activity Zone (CAZ) participated in the New York programme of Our Water Season 3. Together, they contributed to the main forum and co-hosted a dedicated event focused on the future of global business districts.

The New York programme marked an important step in a partnership developed through the Our Water initiative, from the first exchanges between Jing’an District and GBD Innovation Club to the establishment of long-term cooperation. It also led to the launch of new joint projects and created a lasting framework for global business districts to exchange expertise, connect their networks and develop concrete opportunities for collaboration.

Decoding the future of world-class central activity zones

On 30 June, during the launch ceremony and New York Forum of Our Water Season 3, Mr Fu Jun, Executive Vice Mayor of Jing’an District, and Julia Solodova, representing GBD Innovation Club, jointly launched the World-Class Central Activity Zone (CAZ) Decoding Initiative.

Using Jing’an’s Nanjing West Road -Suhe Bay Central Activity Zone as a benchmark, the initiative will draw on the experience of leading global business districts to decode the growth drivers and future development pathways of world-class CAZs. The project will explore how central districts can combine economic competitiveness with urban quality, culture, consumption and lifestyle while responding to the changing expectations of businesses, residents and visitors. It will also contribute to Shanghai’s ambition to strengthen its position as an internationally recognized lifestyle destination.

Connecting Jing’an with New York’s business community

One day earlier, Jing’an CAZ and GBD Innovation Club co-hosted the China – US Entrepreneurs Exchange in New York as part of the Our Water programme. The event brought together representatives of international companies and institutions to discuss the development of dynamic commercial districts, urban regeneration, fashion and consumption, brand partnerships and global communication.

Participants included representatives from WWD, Tapestry, Authentic Brands Group and the Fashion Institute of Technology, among other organisations.

The exchange provided an opportunity to present Jing’an’s development strategy and international ambitions to New York’s business community while identifying new possibilities for cooperation between companies, institutions and urban leaders.

Representing GBD Innovation Club, Julia Solodova highlighted the role of business districts as engines of economic growth and innovation. She mentioned Jing’an as an example of how a Central Activity Zone can combine international attractiveness with a high-quality urban environment and the preservation of its historical and cultural heritage.

Waterfronts as drivers of urban development

Michael Edwards, Advisor to GBD Innovation Club and former President and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance, addressed the importance of waterways in shaping successful urban centres.

Drawing parallels between Chicago and Suhe Bay, which he visited during GBD Innovation Club’s programme in Shanghai, he highlighted how both districts bring together history and modern development, as well as Eastern and Western influences. Active waterfronts have become a defining feature of many leading business districts. They contribute to placemaking, strengthen a district’s identity and play an important role in attracting investment, businesses and visitors.

From a traditional CBD to a multifunctional CAZ

As a member of GBD Innovation Club, Jing’an District is developing an urban model that goes beyond the traditional office-focused GBD.

Centred on Jing’an CAZ, this transformation brings together business, retail, fashion, culture, public spaces and urban life. The ambition is to create a more open and multifunctional district with a distinctive lifestyle, strong international influence and an attractive environment for businesses, residents and visitors.

The New York programme demonstrated how cooperation between business districts can move beyond exchanging ideas. By connecting public authorities, companies and institutions across different markets, GBD Innovation Club creates opportunities for shared learning, practical cooperation and long-term partnerships.

From Shanghai to New York, and from CBD to CAZ, the collaboration between Jing’an District and GBD Innovation Club is opening a new chapter in the international dialogue on the future of global business districts.